How does a Wi-Fi modem work? What is a home router? Why do I even need this router of yours?

In this article we would like to tell you what WiFi technology is and how wireless Internet access is achieved using Wi-Fi routers. Nowadays, almost every person has the Internet at home. The Internet can be connected on a smartphone, tablet, laptop and other devices that a person uses outside the apartment (at work, on the road, etc.).

So, what is WiFi technology? There are quite a few ways to connect to the Internet, but in general, the network can be classified into wired and wireless connection technologies. In the first case, the connection occurs using an optical or network cable (you can find out at the link). In the second case, various wireless data transmission channels are used, for example, GPRS, 3G/4G and Wi-Fi. This article will focus on the process of connecting devices via a Wi-Fi network. We will also describe the operating principle of a Wi-Fi router.

What is a Wi-Fi router and why is it needed?

In simple terms, Wi-Fi is a connection organized through a special radio channel (it is through it that all data is transmitted from one device to another). On many modern laptops and tablets you can see the corresponding sticker. Having noticed it, users think that together with this device they will immediately buy the Internet (they will not have to connect it separately and pay money for it).

In reality, things are a little different. A sticker or “Wi-Fi” icon on a laptop only means that there is a module inside it that can receive the corresponding signal from another device. That device, in turn, must also take this signal from somewhere, for example, from a fixed access point or from a wired channel of an Internet provider. As for stationary Wi-Fi points, they are most often created in crowded places, in some public institutions (thereby attracting people to these institutions). A public hotspot is usually free, meaning it can be used by everyone without exception.

Also, an ordinary Wi-Fi router (or, as it is also called, a router) can be an Internet access point. Outwardly, it looks like a small box with antennas sticking up. To put it simply, the router’s task is to receive a wired signal (wired Internet) and distribute it over several routes. Each route is intended for a separate device, for example, a desktop computer, laptop, smartphone, tablet computer, etc. Any modern Wi-Fi router can encrypt the network using various types of encryption: WEP, TKIP, CKIP, WPA And WPA2. If you are interested in the topic of setting up and connecting WiFi, we recommend reading our following instructions:

• — article about setting up WiFi in Windows, it also talks about setting up a router using the example of a router D-Link.
• — a detailed article about connecting WiFi in Windows, iPhone/iPad, PSP.
• — instructions for connecting a Wi-Fi router using the example of a router Trendnet.
• — a second, more extended article about setting up a WiFi router at home.
• — everything is clear from the name :), we connect via Wi-Fi to a printer that has this function.
• — some laptop users do not know how to turn on the Wi-Fi module on their computer. The article describes in detail possible inclusion options.
• — in this manual we describe in detail how you can find out the password for your Wi-Fi network if you have forgotten it or it is not entered.
• — detailed instructions on how to get into the router settings.
• - instructions using a TV as an example Samsung via Wi-Fi.

As you can see, wireless connectivity options are great and we have a lot of useful instructions for setting up WiFi at home. Let's continue our story about the main culprit - the router. Accordingly, the input connector of the router is the LAN port. This is where the internet cable is inserted. The output connectors are also LAN ports. As a rule, one router has about 4-6 standard LAN ports. Through them, all external wired devices are connected - PC, laptop, game console or something else. In addition, you can use a wireless Wi-Fi connection to connect devices (which is why the Wi-Fi prefix is ​​present in the name of the router).

The total number of devices connected to the “box” can be quite large; for example, you can connect several laptops, smartphones, and tablets at once. When connecting new devices, you need to remember one important thing - on those devices that are already connected, there will be a commensurate decrease. Let's say only one desktop PC is connected to the WiFi router.

In this case, the Internet speed will be maximum (in relation to your tariff plan). If you connect another computer or laptop and use the Internet on it, the speed on both devices will be distributed evenly. If you connect a tablet or laptop, the speed on each device, subject to simultaneous use, will drop even more. That is, a drop in speed will be a significant drawback in the case when several devices are used at the same time, and the overall Internet speed is not too high. In other cases, you can somehow adapt.

When connecting and initially setting up a WiFi router, you may not specify the addresses of specific devices to which the wireless signal will be transmitted. In this case, the router will distribute IP addresses dynamically (based on which specific devices are connected). However, it is best to specify addresses and allow connections only for certain devices, for example, your computer and phone. This can be done by creating a password for the network. It’s not difficult and will take a minimum of time. If you don’t have a password, your network can be used by neighbors above and below, random passers-by on the street, etc. The more “left” devices connect to the network, the slower the Internet speed on your devices will be.

This concludes our story about Wi-Fi wireless technology. We hope that now you understand what WiFi is and why you need a Wi-Fi router. If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments.

The use of the Internet in human life is increasing every day. Recently, wireless Internet has become used everywhere, and it is becoming more difficult to imagine a person without a mobile device with access to wireless connections.

For constant access of mobile devices at a distance favorable for uninterrupted operation from the network source, Wi-Fi routers are used today. The word “router” is a transcription of the English router, which means router. Therefore, it is acceptable to use this name in relation to a Wi-Fi distributing device.

How does a Wi-Fi router work?

A Wi-Fi router is a device that can operate via wireless communication protocols. Household Wi-Fi routers can also work via a cable connection.

The purpose of the work is to unite network segments. A Wi-Fi or LAN enabled home appliance is capable of receiving internet from one service provider by connecting to such a router.

Inside is complex digital equipment. Performance is comparable to personal computers released ten years ago. The router has a built-in processor, RAM and permanent storage.

To connect the Internet provider cable, the device requires at least one connector. Not all home equipment can connect to the Internet over the air.

Desktop computers are not able to connect over the air, so home routers have 4 to 6 outgoing LAN ports.

Devices can be roughly divided into types:

1. ADSL WiFi routers– used for connecting via ADSL. WAN port for RJ11 telephone connector.
2. Ethernet (FTTB) WiFi routers– used for connection via twisted pair (Ethernet FTTB). This router is widely used. The connector is designed for a regular RJ45 connector.
3. CPON/CEPON/PON WiFi routers- devices that have come into use recently. The work is aimed at connecting to passive optical networks.
4. 3G/4G WiFi routers– create wireless Internet using networks of cellular communication providers. There is no cable connection port.
5. Universal WiFi routers– capable of connecting using multiple connection technologies. Such devices are more likely to appear in the home if the service provider provided it.

How to choose a Wi-Fi router

It’s easy to make a mistake in choosing a router that’s truly suitable for you. You need to decide on the purpose and tasks to be accomplished. For entertainment and surfing on social resources, a budget option is also suitable, the cost of which will not exceed one thousand rubles.

In the event that the use of the Internet is aimed at the maximum: frequent downloading of information, connecting interactive services, creating a network storage or media server at home - requires equipment power capable of ensuring continuity of operation and speed.

Today there is a large assortment of this product in digital technology stores, and how can you choose from this variety the one that fits the required parameters? There is no need to rush; you should calmly and slowly understand the following characteristics.

Correspondence between price and quality

In choosing a WiFi router for home use, the price indicators of the product. The minimum cost of such a device is 600 rubles, but in this case the buyer receives a minimum of functionality and a weak network signal.

Routers, the price of which starts from 1,500 rubles, are capable of providing home mobile devices with a normal signal and connection speed. There is no need to buy routers that cost more than 4,000 rubles. They do not provide any functional features; the overpayment will not be justified.

Location

The router module is an indicator worth paying attention to. Routers in which the antenna is located inside are not the best option to purchase, and here’s why: the network’s distribution radius can only spread over short distances. Outside the room in which the router is installed or in another room, blind areas are formed where the signal is not able to penetrate.

In addition, replacing the antenna with a directional one or with increased signal power is impossible. Of course, such a need arises rarely, but it still occurs. A large coverage radius and high speed will be provided by devices with built-in two 5dBi antennas in MIMO mode.

WiFi Standards

This is another point worthy of attention. The designations in the specifications “Wireless 150” indicate a speed of 150 Mbps for this equipment, but this indicator cannot be achieved on the cheapest devices that have only one antenna. The difference in price for routers is not great, so you shouldn’t waste 200-300 rubles to get a high-quality connection.

The supported WiFi802.11n standard means that the owner of such a router is provided with good reception quality. For those who want to make the most of their home computers, devices with three antennas that support the 5 GHz range will be optimal.

The coverage radius is an indicator that can only be checked experimentally, and this is unlikely to be possible in a store. But thanks to the proliferation of such equipment, research can be carried out in public places or with friends.

Equipment

The power of the built-in processor and the amount of RAM are indicators of the load that the router can withstand, similar to personal computers. Therefore, it is worth remembering that rare products costing up to 1,500 rubles can support a speed of 100 Mbit per second.

Support for interactive programs

If today IPTV is not used in half of the homes, then it is possible to use this function in the future, especially with such a speed of development of modern technologies.

Should I pay attention to the manufacturer of a particular model? This is already a matter of a personal nature, although branding is most often a well-thought-out marketing ploy designed to increase the company’s profits.

In the line of popular manufacturers there are, to put it mildly, unsuccessful devices. If you still have limited funds for purchase, but want a gadget that will work properly, then you should pay attention to Chinese-made routers. Although such models do not scream brands of famous manufacturers, they do have good components in their “filling”.

Do not neglect the conversation with the future or existing service provider. To obtain complete information and prevent connection problems, it is better to ask your questions to technical support consultants, and not to an ordinary operator answering calls.

There were also cases when the router purchased by the user did not fit the network provided by the provider in several respects. Thus, the user was not able to obtain the speed specified in the contract. But, if the equipment has already been purchased, then you can only hope that at least one Internet provider is able to provide it with normal operation.

The equipment offered by the supplier can be rented for a minimum period and the quality of its operation and all parameters can be checked. If you are satisfied with the equipment, then you can rely on all its characteristics when buying your own router, or, on the contrary, ignore all similar models.

Wi-Fi router functions

All the additional features of modern routers are not necessary, but still nice. The "guest network" function for home can sometimes be useful, as well as the built-in USB port.

The presence of such a USB connector means the ability to print files from several computers simultaneously by connecting a printer to it. For easily accessible file sharing within a local network, external drives are connected to it, and mobile modems are used to create a backup connection.

Problems

The presence of a warranty card upon purchase will be a significant advantage. After all, factory defects could not be eliminated from the production process even today, and repairs of faulty equipment will be carried out in specialized service centers.

Common problems and frequently asked questions are worth taking a closer look at.

Question: Why is the download speed through the router slow and the connection is interrupted periodically?
Answer: It's worth trying to change the wireless connection channel.

Question: The wireless receiver does not see the WiFi source.
Answer: There may be several reasons for this malfunction. First, you need to make sure that the connection is turned on at all and whether the wireless module is turned on. Its settings are regulated in the Network and Control Center for devices running on WINDOWS OS. Secondly, you should make sure that you have the necessary drivers for the adapter to work.

Question: The Internet disappeared for no reason.
Answer: Even with uninterrupted operation for several months, routers may simply freeze; this phenomenon is not uncommon for digital devices. Such nuances arise more often for users with high download rates. To solve this problem, simply reboot by unplugging the equipment from the outlet and plugging it back in. Here, for the router to work properly, the manufacturer needs to update its firmware as often as possible.

Problems often arise in the work of the service provider. If the user believes that he has taken all possible actions and made every effort, then it is worth calling the operator’s technical support hotline and consulting with specialists. The solution to malfunctions is often described in the instructions. Do not neglect to read it before starting to operate the equipment.

If you have access to the Internet or any local network, a router (aka router) can become one of the main components connected to the computer. It is capable of quickly connecting your home network to an external one. This device allows all information distributed from the provider to be distributed evenly across all computers on the local network. In this case, the router takes on the important task of ensuring the security of this process. So, let's figure out what a router is?

The router is used to communicate with global networks, which allows the most efficient distribution of traffic and the use of alternative paths between network nodes. Thus, the main purpose of the router is to serve alternative paths, as well as combine different networks.

What is a router for?

Where the router will be used depends entirely on how many ports it is equipped with. For example, it can be used locally, which will effectively manage traffic if we are talking about a highly segmented network. Using this device, you can connect Ethernet type networks with other types, and you can also provide a connection between a local network and a global network.

But that’s not all regarding the question of what a router is. These devices not only connect networks to the global or to each other. They also perform traffic control based on the network layer protocol, that is, at a level that is noticeably higher than the switch. Such router management is necessary when the network topology becomes more complex, as well as due to an increase in the number of nodes. The network organizes an excessive number of paths along which the highest quality and fastest delivery of certain information packets should be organized. So, if the question of what a router is becomes more or less clear, then it’s worth touching on the topic. There are two main ones: OSPF and RIP. When using the first, not only the number of devices between nodes is taken into account, but also network performance, as well as the delay in packet transmission and other parameters. This type of protocol is used in large networks that require complex routers running on powerful processors. When using the second, the selection of the most efficient path is carried out according to the principle of the minimum number of network devices between nodes. In this case, configuration becomes simple, and the router is very lightly loaded.

So, if the question of what a router is becomes clear to you, then you can consider using it at home. A home network through a router is the connection of computers into a local network, which provides them with access to the Internet. Typically, such devices are equipped with four ports, which allows you to connect 4 computers to them. And here the question may arise: “WiFi router, what is it?” This type of router, in addition to ports, is also equipped with antennas that allow computers to provide radio access to the network. It turns out that if you have devices with a Wi-Fi module, you do not need to connect them to the router via a traditional network cable; you just need to use the built-in module.

So now you know what a router is.

With the development of information technology, almost everyone, be it a child or an elderly person, for one reason or another wants to go online.

The purpose of this visit is different for everyone, but sometimes the following question arises.

And at home, through a Wi-Fi router, you can connect to the Internet simultaneously from several computers, for example, from a desktop computer, from a laptop, from a tablet, for a printer, etc.

It should be noted that all modern communication devices (computer, mobile phone, tablet, netbook, etc.) are equipped with built-in WiFi receivers. Such devices have a great advantage, since to connect to the World Wide Web and other devices they do not require cable connections, which sometimes get tangled underfoot and create additional inconvenience.

A Wi-Fi router allows you to solve many problems. It will be able to solve both the problem of attachment to the number of connected devices, and the problem of “cable” dependence when connecting them.

This makes it possible to forget about cable wiring forever, place the computer in any corner of the room and gain access to the Global Network.

What to look for when choosing a home WiFi router?

1. If you have made your choice in favor of a WiFi router, then the next question arises: how to choose a WiFi router for your home? In this situation, you should take into account the settings of your Internet provider. You need to find out what kind of connection it provides:

• ADSL (using your home phone line) or
• DSL (via a separate communication line dedicated only to the Internet).

1. You should also find out the speed of your Internet connection, since the router’s throughput may be slightly lower than stated in the tariff plan. As a result, you will pay more for Internet access services than necessary. Because the technical capabilities of the Wi-Fi router will not allow you to receive the Internet access speed you paid for.
2. The area required to be covered by a Wi-Fi network also affects the choice of router. If the area is large, you should choose a router with three antennas; if the area is small, choose a router with two.
3. In order to be able to connect additional external devices to the router (for example, a printer, scanner, memory cards, etc.), you need to pay attention to whether the router is equipped with appropriate connectors, such as USB or a card reader.
4. And finally, when choosing a router, you should check whether a particular model has been discontinued, since all routers that have not been discontinued have updated software, which allows them to ensure reliable and high-quality operation.

What to do if you don’t have a Wi-Fi router, but you need Wi-Fi here and now?

What if you don’t have a Wi-Fi router at hand? For example, there is an old router for wired Internet only, which works properly. If you need WiFi, then a laptop comes to the rescue. I wrote more about how you can use a laptop as a home WiFi router

In addition, almost any modern smartphone can become a mobile Wi-Fi router. Receiving the Internet via 3G or 4G mobile networks, he can further “distribute” it using the built-in Wi-Fi transmitter to other home devices. You just need to monitor your mobile communications costs and promptly connect additional options and services that provide cheaper options for accessing the Internet from mobile devices.

For devices that are not equipped with a Wi-Fi receiver, connecting to the Internet is only possible using the same cable, but not directly, but through the LAN port of the router, which, as a rule, is also present on the Wi-Fi router.