How to choose a router: everything on what you can and can not be saved

Without special knowledge to choose a good router may seem a daunting task. Layfhaker explains how to determine the correct model and not to overpay.

Router - this is a very complex device with a variety of specifications. We will focus on those that play an important role for the buyer.

WAN-port type and connection protocols

Connector WAN (or Internet) to connect to the router Internet cable. This is the first part, which is worth paying attention to when buying a device. That depends on it whether the router to work with the provider.

A typical router has a WAN-port of one of the following formats:

1. DSL (ADSL, VDSL, and other subtypes) - to connect to the Internet via a telephone line.
2. Ethernet - to connect through a special channel provider.

There are universal devices that support multiple formats, including DSL and Ethernet. But they are much rarer.

In a rather popular right now fiber-optic networks to access the internet using a GPON-terminal, to which the router connects. Some routers have meets both connector for fiber optic cable directly to the provider. It gets rid of the terminal, which often suffer from voltage surges and remove unnecessary link in the chain.

Compatibility with the provider

Internet service providers to connect subscribers using various technologies. Some of them are by weight and are supported by default in all routers, while others are less common and are not available everywhere.

For example, many service providers use L2TP protocol, which does not work in every router. Therefore, before buying it is desirable to clarify in the support service provider if their network supports you are interested in a router.

If instead of DSL and Ethernet provider is using a specific connection technology, which is rare, the choice and adjustment equipment is better to trust the professionals.

The number and type of LAN-ports

For LAN-port router connects computers, console, TVs and other stationary equipment, which needs a stable wired network access. This connection ensures always the maximum speed, which does not depend on the distance and interference.

And the more these connectors in a router, the more devices can be connected via a wire thereto. Typically, routers equipped with four LAN-ports. But if that's not enough, choose a model with additional connectors.

The type of LAN-ports depends limit the communication speed between the router and other devices connected thereto via a wire.

There are two types:

1. Fast Ethernet It provides up to 100 Mbit / s.
2. Gigabit Ethernet - up to 1 Gbit / s.

If your ISP offers Internet access at speeds of more than 100 Mbit / s, choose the model of the router with Gigabit Ethernet port type. Since you'll be using your channel on the full.

Wi-Fi standards

From Wi-Fi standard depends maximum possible communication speed between the router and the park devices connected thereto wirelessly. Now in the course of two standards:

1. 802.11n - common, but already obsolescent version, which is supported by the vast majority of gadgets. Possible speed - up to 600 Mbit / c.
2. 802.11ac - current standard, provides the highest speed - up to 6.77 Gb / s.

But do not let the characteristics of knock yourself confused: these values ​​are only theoretically possible in the framework of the technology. The real rate is much lower figures.

Speed ​​that specified by the manufacturer, in practice and often unattainable. This is only possible value without taking into account the distance and interference.

Due to backward compatibility to a router with 802.11ac standard can be connected via WI-Fi all gadgets. Even if they only support 802.11n and older. But to unleash the full potential of 802.11ac, and the router and all the rest of your wireless network must support this standard.

The number of Wi-Fi range

Some routers can be operated simultaneously in various frequency bands. In this mode, the router is able to support not just one, but several independent Wi-Fi-networks.

Many popular models are able to distribute data between the two ranges. Thus, they create two networks at 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, respectively.

1. 2.4 GHz ideal for connecting smartphones and office equipment.
2. Frequency 5GHz provides a more stable and fast connection, and therefore better suited for multimedia devices that work with video and other heavy content. So, if you do not want to connect a TV or set-top box through the wire, you can use Wi-Fi at 5 GHz.

These networks can be operated in parallel without limiting each other. But again, their total speed will not exceed the limit specified by your ISP.

Moreover, not all gadgets support network with a frequency of 5 GHz.

The number and type of antennas

In addition to the standard and the frequency of the Wi-Fi, the speed of a wireless network depends on the number of antennas on the router. The more, the faster exchange of data between connected devices and the router.

Reserve rate Wi-Fi in 802.11n standard model for a single antenna is 150 Mbit / s. With two - 300 Mbit / s, with three - 450 Mbit / s. That is, with each antenna maximum possible speed increases to 150 Mbit / s. A standard 802.11ac - 433 Mbit / s.

Recall, we are talking about is theoretically possible speeds under ideal conditions. In fact, these figures are much lower. Moreover, not forget that the final speed of access to the internet via Wi-Fi provider may not exceed the limitation.

Antennas can be integrated or external. As practice shows, in a typical city apartment type of antenna is not so important. Contrary to popular myth, the difference is barely noticeable.

But for large areas still need to choose a router with an external antenna, so as not to be Coated problems. Moreover, if the external antenna removable, they can be replaced by more powerful if necessary.

Availability of USB-ports

Selecting a router with one or a pair of USB connectors, you can connect additional devices to it. For example, USB-Drive will provide remote access to shared storage files from any device in the Wi-Fi network. A wireless USB-modem will be your backup form of access to the network, if the cable internet will stop working.

Brief guide to choosing

Let us once again go through the key points of the article. This checklist will help you choose a good router.

1. Learn the requirements provider to your router: WAN-connector type and connection protocols. Only then choose a model.
2. When Internet speeds above 100 Mbit / s buy device with LAN-port Gigabit Ethernet format (1 Gbit / s). If the rate is less than enough connectors Fast Ethernet (100 Mbit / s).
3. If access to the Internet only for the browsing and working with documents, it is possible to limit the router with a single antenna and supports 802.11n wireless standard.
4. But if you watch streaming video, play online games, use a lot of wireless devices, often download large files and are not used to deny yourself, choose a dual-band router with multiple antennas and support 802.11ac.
5. You can buy a model with a USB-port to connect it to a storage device or a wireless modem if desired.