LAN,Internet connection:Choosing your Router

Intro

A router comes in the shape of a box connected to your computer. Thanks to the router, you are connected to broadband Internet (cable or WiFi) or you can set up a local network. Several computers can share, for example, access to multiple devices (printer, scanner ...) and Internet connection.

To choose a router, you must ask yourself the following questions:

• How many computers share the same Internet connection?
• How many computers will be installed in the network (sharing the printer, etc..)

Case 1

A single computer VS multiple computers, what router to choose?


If you have only one PC at home, you can opt for a router connected by cable (Ethernet) for your PC to access the broadband Internet.

Advantages: Cheap solution ,providing a good stability of the connection, higher flow rate.


This solution is gradually disappearing in favor of the new multifunction routers (cable and WiFi).

Wifi router

Very flexible use: ability to link one or more computers at home and thus to move, for example, with a laptop.No need to use cables.

Case 2

Modem-routers from your ISP

In most cases, the router from your ISP offers a wide range of services: telephony free access to television, simultaneous sharing of the connection through Wifi. It is a modem-router connected to a main PC (Live Box, Freebox) that delivers Internet access to other computers. This router is provided when setting up your connection (or not included in the subscription).

• Advantages: simplified use, technical assistance possible price.
• Disadvantages: options for configuring a local network limited

Case 3

Choosing an independent router (or modem connected to the router from your ISP) if you want

• Optimize Internet access: increased speed, more security.
• Mount a local network: choose a router with many ports (more opportunities for interconnections between computers)
• Build a network of business: your router is accompanied by an access point (one additional case distributing Internet access, for example).
• Advantage: better security, economy bandwidth confidentiality. If you opt for this type of router, make sure it has a "Switch", a device that accelerates the transmission of data between computers.

Options and features to consider

To configure certain options (IP address, cache memory) or benefit from greater security, check that your router supports the following protocols: Support VPN Pass-Through, DHCP / NAT / PAT / PPPoE, UPnP

Standards required for a WiFi router

Routers having Wifi 802.11b standards (speed 6 Mbps) and 802.11g (25 Mbps) are the most common and most compatible.

New Standards

Wifi 802-11n

The new routers and access points, such as D-link router dir-855, support the standard 802-11n, which will, in theory, achieve a rate close to 1 Gigabit / s.

ADSL 2 +
Some modem-routers are compatible with ADSL 2 + (since 2004), which increases the maximum flow of data. But access is still limited.