October 2007
Routers
A router connects your home computers to your Internet service provider
Wi-Fi networks freed us from wires, but the technology did not come without tradeoffs. Wi-Fi networks are slower than their
hardwired counterparts and are far less secure. The good news is that new technology standards promise much faster speeds
and new encryption methods improve security.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
Most Wi-Fi routers include one to four Ethernet ports, so you can also connect computers with conventional network cables. The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) wireless standard incorporated into a Wi-Fi router dictates how fast it can transfer data. The older 802.11b standard has a transfer rating of 11Mbps (megabits per second), while the current 802.11g standard is rated at 54Mbps. A newer standard, which has not yet been ratified, is 802.11n. It promises transfer speeds of at least 100Mbps and potentially up to 540Mbps. In the real world, expect more like 5Mbps, 20Mbps, and 75Mbps, respectively. You might also see some routers on the market identified as 802.11n Draft 2.0. Those are early releases of the standard, which is not expected to be finalized before 2009.
Most routers on the market are 802.11g, which are backward compatible with 802.11b, so you don't have to update all your devices if you buy a new router. The same goes for 802.11n Draft 2.0 routers, but on a network that combines more than one standard your transfer speeds will drop down to the lower of the two speeds. You might also see routers labeled MIMO, which stands for Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output. That technology uses multiple receivers and transmitters for faster transfers, and is incorporated into 802.11n. Some 802.11g routers support MIMO, but you'll need to buy a proprietary matching adapter to take advantage of it.
The most popular brands of routers are D-Link, Linksys, and Netgear. You can find them at retail chains such as Best Buy, CompUSA, Circuit City, Office Depot and Staples, and online at such sites as Newegg, Amazon and Buy.com.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Aside from speed, there are other factors to consider when choosing a router, including range and security. Range will depend on a number of factors, including the thickness and composition of the walls the signal must travel through and the quality and quantity of antennas. In general, multiple external antennas will improve range. The typical range you can expect from a router is about 100 to 125 feet.
If you're living in an apartment or small house, get the least expensive 802.11g router from one of the name brands mentioned, which offer 24/7 tech support. Unless you have a brand-new Centrino laptop, don't waste money on a router that supports technologies such as MIMO, SpeedBooster, RangeMAX, or Super G because you'll need a matching PC Card adapter for your laptop. You shouldn't need to spend more than $50 for an 802.11g router.
If you're considering an 802.11n router, you might need to do a firmware update once the standard is ratified. Although they're hard to find, you might be able to find one that operates in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz RF spectrums. The 2.4GHz spectrum is shared by phones, Bluetooth, and other wireless devices, causing interference; the 5GHz spectrum is less crowded.
If you buy a fast router and transfer speed seems slow, the fault might be with your Internet service provider, not your router. If range is a problem, consider moving the router to the middle of your house. If that's not possible or is still not good enough, consider a second router or a repeater.
Security is another important consideration, because wireless networks are more vulnerable than wired networks. At the very least, your neighbors can hitch a free ride on an unprotected wireless network and slow down your connection. But the bigger concern is hackers gaining access to your data. Wi-Fi routers include varying levels of encryption, which makes all wireless communications look like gibberish to outsiders. The minimum level of encryption is the older Wired Equivalent Privacy. WEP is good enough to keep freeloading neighbors off your network, but a determined hacker can get through it in a few hours. Look for Wi-Fi Protected Access or the newer and stronger WPA2 standard. Apple's newer Airport routers also support WPA2.
Most encryption is turned off by default, so you'll need to set it up once you connect your router. First, change the factory-set user IDs and passwords, because most hackers already know them. Make sure your new IDs and passwords are at least 10 characters long and contain letters and numbers.
Another security feature to look for in a router is Media Access Control filtering. MAC limits network access to those devices you've identified. You identify a device by entering its unique code into your computer.
Wi-Fi routers also come with a factory-assigned service set identifier (SSID). This signal is continually broadcast so that other Wi-Fi-equipped devices can find your network when they come within range. The default SSID gives away more details about your network than it should, so be sure to change it, and avoid using anything based on a password or other personal information. You should also prevent your SSID from being broadcast. If you ever need to troubleshoot your network, turn SSID broadcasting back on until you solve the problem, then turn it off again.
WHAT'S AVAILABLE
Most Wi-Fi routers include one to four Ethernet ports, so you can also connect computers with conventional network cables. The IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) wireless standard incorporated into a Wi-Fi router dictates how fast it can transfer data. The older 802.11b standard has a transfer rating of 11Mbps (megabits per second), while the current 802.11g standard is rated at 54Mbps. A newer standard, which has not yet been ratified, is 802.11n. It promises transfer speeds of at least 100Mbps and potentially up to 540Mbps. In the real world, expect more like 5Mbps, 20Mbps, and 75Mbps, respectively. You might also see some routers on the market identified as 802.11n Draft 2.0. Those are early releases of the standard, which is not expected to be finalized before 2009.
Most routers on the market are 802.11g, which are backward compatible with 802.11b, so you don't have to update all your devices if you buy a new router. The same goes for 802.11n Draft 2.0 routers, but on a network that combines more than one standard your transfer speeds will drop down to the lower of the two speeds. You might also see routers labeled MIMO, which stands for Multiple-Input-Multiple-Output. That technology uses multiple receivers and transmitters for faster transfers, and is incorporated into 802.11n. Some 802.11g routers support MIMO, but you'll need to buy a proprietary matching adapter to take advantage of it.
The most popular brands of routers are D-Link, Linksys, and Netgear. You can find them at retail chains such as Best Buy, CompUSA, Circuit City, Office Depot and Staples, and online at such sites as Newegg, Amazon and Buy.com.
HOW TO CHOOSE
Aside from speed, there are other factors to consider when choosing a router, including range and security. Range will depend on a number of factors, including the thickness and composition of the walls the signal must travel through and the quality and quantity of antennas. In general, multiple external antennas will improve range. The typical range you can expect from a router is about 100 to 125 feet.
If you're living in an apartment or small house, get the least expensive 802.11g router from one of the name brands mentioned, which offer 24/7 tech support. Unless you have a brand-new Centrino laptop, don't waste money on a router that supports technologies such as MIMO, SpeedBooster, RangeMAX, or Super G because you'll need a matching PC Card adapter for your laptop. You shouldn't need to spend more than $50 for an 802.11g router.
If you're considering an 802.11n router, you might need to do a firmware update once the standard is ratified. Although they're hard to find, you might be able to find one that operates in the 2.4GHz and 5GHz RF spectrums. The 2.4GHz spectrum is shared by phones, Bluetooth, and other wireless devices, causing interference; the 5GHz spectrum is less crowded.
If you buy a fast router and transfer speed seems slow, the fault might be with your Internet service provider, not your router. If range is a problem, consider moving the router to the middle of your house. If that's not possible or is still not good enough, consider a second router or a repeater.
Security is another important consideration, because wireless networks are more vulnerable than wired networks. At the very least, your neighbors can hitch a free ride on an unprotected wireless network and slow down your connection. But the bigger concern is hackers gaining access to your data. Wi-Fi routers include varying levels of encryption, which makes all wireless communications look like gibberish to outsiders. The minimum level of encryption is the older Wired Equivalent Privacy. WEP is good enough to keep freeloading neighbors off your network, but a determined hacker can get through it in a few hours. Look for Wi-Fi Protected Access or the newer and stronger WPA2 standard. Apple's newer Airport routers also support WPA2.
Most encryption is turned off by default, so you'll need to set it up once you connect your router. First, change the factory-set user IDs and passwords, because most hackers already know them. Make sure your new IDs and passwords are at least 10 characters long and contain letters and numbers.
Another security feature to look for in a router is Media Access Control filtering. MAC limits network access to those devices you've identified. You identify a device by entering its unique code into your computer.
Wi-Fi routers also come with a factory-assigned service set identifier (SSID). This signal is continually broadcast so that other Wi-Fi-equipped devices can find your network when they come within range. The default SSID gives away more details about your network than it should, so be sure to change it, and avoid using anything based on a password or other personal information. You should also prevent your SSID from being broadcast. If you ever need to troubleshoot your network, turn SSID broadcasting back on until you solve the problem, then turn it off again.
