Introduction to Routers
Every household today requires an electronic device like a router, making it a vast market. Prices vary significantly; a quick search online reveals affordable models for as little as tens of dollars, while premium options can cost thousands. Routers are generally categorized into various types based on their usage: home routers, broadband routers, secure routers, enterprise routers, multi-service routers, mini routers, internet café routers, and broadband routers.
Before purchasing a router, it's essential to define your needs. For instance, consider whether most of your devices are wired or wireless, whether you need better wall penetration, or if you require additional features like wireless bridging, QSS, or external storage.
Let’s delve into the basics of routers. First, the gateway to the internet world lies in the interfaces at the back of the router. These typically include a series of similar-looking ports, known as RJ45 jacks. The number of these jacks varies—there could be four, six, or even just two. Among these, two ports are distinctively marked and colored: the WAN port and the LAN port.
The WAN port acts as the primary Valve, connecting the router to the outside world. Broadband access into homes usually happens through modems (cats), optical modems (light cats), or direct network cables. The WAN port connects to these devices: a network cable attached to a modem goes into the WAN port; similarly, an optical modem uses an optical fiber instead of a traditional phone line; or a direct network cable can connect straight to the router’s WAN port.
On the other hand, the LAN port functions as a distribution pipe within your home. It connects all your internal devices like laptops, desktops, monitors, or smartphones to the internet. Understanding these two ports is straightforward and shouldn't lead to confusion.
Next, let's talk about the source of Wi-Fi: antennas. Antennas essentially serve as signal-transmitting wires. Some consumers prefer routers with many antennas, believing more antennas mean stronger signals and faster internet. Others opt for fewer antennas, thinking this reduces radiation. However, the number of antennas doesn't significantly affect signal strength.
Signal strength depends on several factors including the router's hardware configuration (like wireless RF chips and amplifiers), the placement of the router, the structure of your house, the gain of the antennas, and the wireless network card.
Radiation concerns often arise, but it's crucial to understand the distinction between ionizing and non-ionizing radiation. While ionizing radiation is harmful, non-ionizing radiation, such as electromagnetic waves from Wi-Fi and mobile phones, is safe. Human beings are natural sources of radiation, and electromagnetic waves are ubiquitous. Thus, shutting off your router won’t eliminate radiation exposure.
Bandwidth is another critical aspect to consider. A 200M broadband service from your telecom provider requires all components—modem, router, network card, and cables—to support Gigabit speeds. Any bottleneck, such as a router with a 100M WAN port, can limit your network speed to 11MB/s, despite having a Gigabit LAN port.
Lastly, modern routers offer dual-band options—2.4GHz and 5GHz. The 2.4GHz band is widely used due to its excellent penetration and long transmission distance but suffers from heavy interference. The 5GHz band offers stronger data-carrying capacity but lacks penetration and has a shorter range.
In terms of installation, placing the router centrally ensures optimal coverage. Poor placement, like near a window, results in wasted coverage outdoors.
Finally, contemporary routers come equipped with numerous features accessible through mobile apps, such as remote downloading via Thunder. These features allow routers to function as download machines and servers.
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With so many features and considerations, understanding routers thoroughly can enhance your digital experience.
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