What’s in a name?

When you’re shopping for a wireless router, it’s important to have a basic idea of what it should do. A lot of manufacturers use the word “wireless” to describe their products. When browsing wireless peripherals, you’ll see wireless access points, wireless adaptors, wireless USB connectors and wireless PCI cards, to name just a few.

Specifically, wireless routers manage Internet connections for multiple devices by creating an invisible network in your home. This lets you connect PCs, video game consoles and other Internet-enabled devices through a single online connection without covering your baseboards in wires. Wireless routers use wireless access point (WAP) technology and include features such as an Ethernet router and a switch. When shopping for a wireless router, look for key words like LAN and Ethernet.

Why is that sales guy reciting the alphabet to me?

One of the most difficult things for shoppers to figure out is what all of the letters associated with wireless routers mean. You’ll see things such as A, B, G and even N. Sometimes these letters follow an “802.11”, but they all tell you how the wireless router communicates.

B and G are the most common wireless router protocols. Unfortunately, they operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency shared by cordless phones and other appliances, making them prone to interference. The B protocol transmits up to 11 megabytes per second (Mbps), while G is faster, transmitting up to 54 Mbps. The G protocol is backwards compatible, so if you buy an 802.11g wireless router, your 802.11b wireless device will still connect to it—albeit at the lower speeds supported by the B protocol.

The A protocol operates on the 5 GHz frequency, which makes it much less prone to interference than B or G. Like G, it transmits up to 54 Mbps, making A the best of both worlds. Unfortunately, very few consumer devices use the A network, so you’ll need to check for compatibility with your devices before you buy.

The newest wireless router protocol is N. The N protocol offers incredibly fast speeds, up to 600 Mbps in some test situations, and it boasts extended signal range thanks to integrated multiple antennas, or MIMO technology (Multiple Input, Multiple Output). Many manufacturers already offer 802.11n devices. However, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) has not yet finalized the N protocol, which means that this protocol may still change, creating compatibility issues.

If you choose an 802.11n wireless router, make sure you understand its update policies, as it will need firmware upgrades until the N standard is finalized. Some manufacturers charge for updates, while others include them in the wireless router’s price.

A need for speed

While the 802.11n protocol is definitely the fastest, that doesn’t necessarily make it better. When putting together a home network, the speed of the wireless router can be hampered by your Internet connection.

High-speed Internet connections vary tremendously in speed capacity, but the high end of the spectrum boasts sustained speeds of five to six Mbps. The average home gets one to two Mbps, if that, with occasional higher bursts. The slowest B wireless router protocol operates at 11Mbps, which is significantly faster than the best home Internet connections.

Don’t pay for speed you don’t need, and think about whether you need a wireless router for simple Internet connections or to network several PCs in your home. If you’re setting up a home network and you need several computers to share large data files, you’ll want to make the extra investment in an 802.11n wireless router. For Internet connectivity, 802.11g offers more than enough wireless router speed to the average home user.

Wireless router security

Security is a very valid concern if you’re using a wireless router. In densely populated areas, it is not uncommon for neighbors to “borrow” the Internet from your wireless router. Unsecured wireless routers are also subject to “friendly hacks,” where someone will shut you out of your network to teach you a lesson about security.

These are nuisance problems, but a far greater threat lies if you use the Internet for banking or shopping, or if you store identifying personal information on your computer. An unsecured wireless router leaves you vulnerable to data and identity theft, so you need to shop for a wireless router with good security protocols and use them.

The most common security protocols to restrict access to a wireless router network are Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) and Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA). The basic WEP protocol doesn’t provide stellar protection and is becoming outdated. For increased security, look for wireless routers that provide WPA or the newer WPA2. Some wireless routers also offer Media Access Control (MAC) address filtering, which restricts connectivity to devices that have specifically received permission via their unique MAC addresses to connect to the network. To protect PCs from attack, look for wireless routers that offer a built-in firewall.

Wireless extras

Range is the distance that a wireless router can transmit. Most wireless routers offer a range of 120 to 150 feet, which is more than enough for most homes. If you want to send the signal to the garden or a detached garage, look for a wireless router with longer range.

Some wireless routers offer integrated cable or DSL connectivity, which eliminates the need for multiple devices. For maximum compatibility, buy a wireless router and wireless connection devices from the same manufacturer. If your wireless router resides in a visible location, shop for a stylish model for maximum visual appeal.

Need to know more?

• Wireless Router Trouble Shooting Guide
  http://www.dvhardware.net/article15009.html
• Wireless Router Configuration
  http://www.home-network-help.com/wireless-router.html
• 10 tips for improving your wireless network
  http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/wirelesstips.mspx