Beamforming or spatial filtering gives the router the ability to focus the signal toward specific devices in your home instead of blanketing the entire home with the same signal strength.
The router finds the location of your device to determine where to focus the WiFi signal. Not all WiFi routers support Beamforming, so do review the specifications to ensure this feature is included. WiFi routers aren't limited to wireless connections, they also have Ethernet ports, which can connect your computer or other devices to your home network with an Ethernet cable.
An Ethernet port and cable look like a common telephone cable, but with wider ports and connectors. You can free-up your WiFi bandwidth for other truly wireless devices like your notebook computer, smart phone, or tablet, which travel from place to place with you as you move about your home. Think about those devices that are not portable as possible candidates for hardwiring to the Ethernet port. To do that, simply plug your device directly into the router using an Ethernet port and cable.
Older routers with Fast Ethernet support speeds up to Mbps, but modern routers support Gigabit Ethernet, which is ten times faster at Mbps. Transferring a terabyte of backup files from an external drive, for example, can take more than two and a half hours at Mbps. This is where eSATA external drives come in handy. To ensure your devices are getting the most out of those WiFi signals, place your router in a central, elevated position, like a desktop or a shelf.
Avoid thick concrete walls, metal objects, and HVAC equipment wherever possible, and keep the space clutter-free—large objects and other electronics inhibit the router's range. There's no point investing in upgraded home WiFi networking equipment like routers and modems if your broadband speed isn't up to par. Share the Article:. Is Your Router Out of Date? Without the router, the data wouldn't end up at the right device.
A command to print a document is useless if it ends up on your smartphone or a Google Home speaker—it needs to go to your printer. Speaking of Google Home, routers are even more essential when it comes to connecting your smart home. Since a smart home is also a local network of devices, without a router they can't talk to each other.
Depending on the device, you might still need an internet connection if services are cloud-hosted. But ultimately, the router coordinates these data packages. A local network can exist without the internet or a modem, but it cannot exist without a router. The difference between a wireless and wired router is what type of connections each device allows.
A wired router only has LAN cable ports, while a wireless router also known as a Wi-Fi router includes antennae and a wireless adapter that allows devices to connect without a cable. Most routers and modems nowadays include both LAN ports and antennae. There are a few points you should keep in mind before you select which Wi-Fi router to buy to make sure that you select the right one for your situation.
Now you know what a router does and the role it plays in connecting your devices to the internet. It's a good idea to understand the hardware that makes up your home network and internet setup so that you know what you need when replacing or upgrading devices. Understanding these differences can save you the hassle of buying redundant devices or purchasing hardware with additional features that you don't need.
Just bought your first ever router? Upgraded your old one to a new one? Take these important steps and make sure it's set up properly. Megan decided to unite her Honors Degree in New Media and lifetime of geekiness to pursue a career in tech and gaming journalism.
You can usually find her writing about a variety of topics and drooling over new gadgets and games. What Does a Router Do? Share Share Tweet Email. But if the data enters your home through cables, how do you make it wireless?
With a router. A router is the central node of your home network. It connects either directly to your network cable, or via a modem. All inbound and outbound traffic is then passed through the router.
The Wi-Fi radio is built into the router so that the data can turn into radio waves to broadcast to, and receive data from, your connected devices. They often run on Linux-based operating systems, with many providing a web interface for you to manage the router's settings and monitor network activity. Depending on your internet service provider ISP , you may need to buy a router, a router and separate modem, or a router-modem.
Most modern routers have modems built-in, so you only need one device. However, it's worth checking with your ISP as some require the use of a proprietary modem. We've looked at the best modems and routers for Comcast Xfinity , if you have that service. With many hundreds of models to choose from, all with similar names and complex terminology, choosing a router can be an exhausting task. Before jumping straight in, you should note down which router features are most important to you. Your requirements will likely be different if you intend to use your Wi-Fi network for online gaming or work.
Once you've signed up with an ISP and purchased your router, you'll need to set up your home network. Although this will vary by device, there are some common considerations for new routers.
Optimizing your router's physical position and the direction of the antennae will ensure you get the best possible coverage. Low-signal areas can be improved using mains-powered Wi-Fi extenders. As your router is the entry point to your home network, it is also your frontline defense for network security.
Most routers have a widely known default username and password for logging in.
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