WiFi

Cloud REBOOT

Factors to Consider Before Buying a WiFi Router

WiFi_Logo

Top Five Features to Look for in a Wi-Fi Router

  1. A dual-band router with two different frequencies: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. (5 GHz connections offer higher performance, making it ideal for online gaming and streaming, while 2.4 GHz provides better Wi-Fi range)

  2. Check your router have Guest Wireless Network and Parental Control options

  3. Go with a A router that supports WPA Enterprise provides security through unique authentication encryptions on external servers

  4. The router having wireless on off button

  5. Router having IPv6 support and USB port

Common types of routers available in the market

  • Single Band Router – They can transmit 2.4GHz of frequencies which is very helpful for the home user. This frequency can be easily transmitted through walls and floors. It is available cheap.

  • Dual Band Router – This router can enable you to connect with the gadgets between 2.4GHz to 5GHz. This router is very useful when you live in a densely populated area as double band routers are less used by people as compared to a single band router because 5GHz can’t be penetrated through walls and floors. It offers up to 100x the wireless bandwidth (Picks up both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands), dedicated Wi-Fi Network for video and gaming, and has two separate Wi-Fi networks operating simultaneously.

  • Tri-Band Router – No. It wo’t add up another frequency layer to it. But, this router will add up one another 5GHz to the layer. The biggest advantage of this router is that it reduces congestion and interference on your Wi-Fi networks even more. Three separate bands means three times more bandwidth. It can dedicate each band to separate devices and supports more devices due to additional wireless bands.

  • Mesh Network – Okay, so if you are planning to buy the mesh network WiFi Router, then you need to clear one thing that this router isn’t related to bands. It is mainly related to the extent of WiFi connectivity. Here, one main router is connected to other nodes present at different locations to increase the operational area of the WiFi network. The mesh network is useful for the large house between 2,000 and 4,500 square feet or multiple floor corporate offices.

Different Wireless Standards

  • 802.11 used the 2.4GHz band and had a max bandwidth of 2  Mbps

  • 802.11b uses the same 2.4GHz band with a max bandwidth of 11 Mbps.

  • 802.11a was introduced in 1999, at the same time as 802.11b, but it operates on the 5GHz and supports a maximum bandwidth of 54Mbps.

  • 802.11g supports a maximum bandwidth of 54Mbps but operates in the 2.4GHz band.

  • 802.11n was introduced in 2009, which operates in both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz and supports a bandwidth of up to 300Mbps (or even 450Mbps with three antenna)

  • 802.11ac works exclusively in the 5GHz and supports bandwidth between 433Mbps to multiple gigabits per second.