What
is a network router?
A network router is the central "gateway" between your
computer and a network or the internet. The router manages and
assigns the IP addresses of all computers on your network and
allows everyone connected to it to share the internet connection. IP
address are assigned either automatically (DHCP) or statically
(Static) by the router and it also hides your computer from the outside world by
acting as a firewall. A router can also be used to manage
network security or for more advanced functions such as port
forwarding, and NAT (network address translation).
Compare Wireless Routers vs Hardwire Routers
There are two types of routers, hardwired routers
and wireless routers. You are usually better off getting a
wireless router whether you need wireless or not because a wireless
router can also be hardwired. This allows for a more flexible
installation allowing you to combine hardwired and wireless
applications. With a hardwire only router, you have to run CAT5 wires
for every computer that needs to connect to the internet.
Wireless Routers
A
wireless router is also much
easier to setup as there are no CAT5 wires to worry about.
Select a high quality Cisco or Linksys router such as the suggestions below.
Wireless network
routers are usually also very reliable,
and provide high levels of encryption and wireless security. Wireless networks can transmit data at
11-54Mbps (megabytes per second). For full details on wireless networking and
security see: Wireless Networking).
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