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Wireless Routers

Wireless Routers Provide Wireless Access Points

Wireless routers are configured to create wireless access points (AP's) which allows other devices to connect wirelessly to a local LAN. The primary router in a network has its WAN port usually connected via a Ethernet wired connection to a cable modem or DSL modem. A wireless router normally h...

Wireless Routers Provide Wireless Access Points

Wireless routers are configured to create wireless access points (AP's) which allows other devices to connect wirelessly to a local LAN. The primary router in a network has its WAN port usually connected via a Ethernet wired connection to a cable modem or DSL modem. A wireless router normally has a web based configuration utility making configuration easy with your web browser.

What Routers do in your Network

The main task of a router is to direct packets of application data in and out of your local area network (LAN) to the outside wide area networks (WAN). It acts as a gateway to the external Internet through its WAN port. To do this data packets are encapsulated with extra packet header address information which is used by the router to send the packets to their correct destination. A router contains routing tables which enable it to quickly direct packets to the right host computer in your network and to direct packets from these hosts to other networks outside through your WAN connection.

All local devices or host computers in your home or office network are normally associated with one LAN IP address. A DCHP server in the router is usually configured to give each device on the LAN a local IP address which is dynamically allocated. The router can do network address translation (NAT) which allows it to route packets from a devices within the internal LAN to the common shared WAN IP address. So in effect all LAN devices share the same external WAN address. This make the Internet addressing scheme much easier to handle with the available addressing system. The WAN address can be a fixed IP address or can also be dynamically allocated by your ISP.

Wifi Extenders/Repeaters

When you introduce a repeater/extender/booster in this network it acts like a wireless client bridge between the main wireless router access point (AP) and an extended network access point formed by the repeater / extender.

As a wireless device a repeater receives packets wirelessly and re-transmits these packets wirelessly with more signal power thereby extending the range of the original LAN from your base router. This is acting as a wireless client bridge. It is a bridge because it passes packets to devices connected to the extenders access point (AP) over the wireless link to the main router via its AP. It in fact bridges two wireless LAN segments to form an extended LAN. There is no routing involved and all devices on the extender/repeater are part of the same subnet of the main routers LAN and are allocated IP addresses from the main router. In many cases these repeaters have a wired side ethernet ports as well as proving a wireless bridge to wired devices on the repeater. When linked wirelessly the link speed is roughly halved as packets have to be received and re-transmitted in the repeater but this is hardly a problem for most users.

Wireless Links

The addition of wireless links has made for convenience, practical and cost saving advantages over traditional wired networks. It should be remembered that the addition of a wireless (receiver and transmitter) to routers or wireless cards on host computers makes no difference to how we see packets of data being sent and managed on our LAN. We just change a physical wired link for a wireless link. And both can exist at the same time on the same network.

There are separate protocols underneath the ethernet protocol that manage the propagation of packets on these wireless links. Examples of the protocols include the Wireless IEEE 802.11b/g/n standards. The main difference in these standards are increased data rates from 802.11b to 802.11n.

Routers with 3G Router connectivity

Now it is possible to combine normal ADSL/WISP/Cable connectivity to the Internet with access through your 3G mobile network connection. In this way you can manage which network to use separately and by design configure a fall back scenario whereby if one network goes down the router will automatically switch to the other network. Often the 3G connectivity option is ideal for remote access where normal Internet connection might not exist. Also for portable use these routers are ideal in settings like mobile homes, boats or for use on camping trips.
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Subcategories

  • Alfa Network USB 3G Routers
    Alfa Network USB 3G...

    Alfa Network - Lighter Way to Enjoy Network
    Alfa was established in 2002 and remains a highly motivated company dedicated to the innovative design and manufacturing of high performance yet cost-effective Local/Wide Area (LAN/WAN) products. Alfa designs products to be end-user friendly and easy to maintain. Their expertise lies within wireless network communications and telecommunications.

  • MikroTik RouterBOARD RouterOS
    MikroTik RouterBOARD...

    MikroTik is a Latvian company which was founded in 1995. The experience in using industry standard PC hardware and complete routing systems allowed to create the RouterOS software system that provides extensive stability, controls, and flexibility for all kinds of data interfaces and routing.

    RouterOS

    Is a Linux-based operating system known as RouterOS. Installed on the company's proprietary hardware (RouterBOARD), or on standard x86-based computers, it turns the computer into a network router and implements various additional features, such as firewalling, VPN (Virtual Private Network) service and client, bandwidth shaping and quality of service, wireless access point functions and other commonly used features when interconnecting networks. The system is also able to serve as a hotspot system.
    The operating system is licensed in increasing service levels.
    A graphical user interface for the RouterOS configuration and monitoring, but RouterOS also allows access via FTP, telnet, and secure shell (SSH). An application programming interface is available for direct access from applications for management and monitoring.

    RouterBOARD

    A series of integrated circuit boards, as well as accessory components which implement a complete hardware operating platform for RouterOS.
    The RouterBOARD line, combined with RouterOS, is marketed at small- to medium-sized wireless Internet services, typically providing access in remote areas.
    Products include pre-assembled SOHO ( Small Office / Home Office ) routers, wireless 802.11n MIMO ( Multiple-Input / Multiple-Output ) and TDMA ( Time Division Multiple Access - allows several users to share the same frequency channel by dividing the signal into different time slots ) devices for indoor and outdoor use, and also bare PCB ( Printed Circuit Board ) routers for integration into custom solutions.

  • TP-Link AP 3G Routers
    TP-Link AP 3G Routers

    TP-LINK is a global provider of networking products and the World's No.1 provider of WLAN and Broadband CPE devices. TP-LINK continues to provide award-winning networking products in Wireless, ADSL, Routers, Switches, IP Cameras, Powerline Adapters, Print Servers, Media Converters and Network Adapters for Global end-users.

  • Ubiquiti Networks AirMax
    Ubiquiti Networks AirMax

    Ubiquiti Networks provides a variety of high-end wireless networking products. They design and manufacture disruptive technology platforms for emerging markets that drive profitable business models and enable ubiquitous connectivity.

  • Edimax Wifi Range Extenders
    Edimax Wifi Range...

    EDIMAX Technology is dedicated to the design, development, manufacture, and marketing of a broad range of networking solutions. Since EDIMAX was founded in 1986, the company has grown to be among the world’s leading manufacturers of advanced network communication products.

  • Tenda Wireless Routers
    Tenda Wireless Routers

    Tenda Technology is the recognized leading supplier of networking devices and equipments for consumer, SOHO and small business users.
    Since 2007, Tenda has started launching its global branding efforts. Until now, through our worldwide distribution channels, Tenda distributes products to more than 100 countries around the world.
    The product lines include WiFi devices, ADSL CPEs, Ethernet switches, mobile broadband(3/3.5/3.75G) devices and wired routers.

  • Wifi Routers Repeaters
    Wifi Routers Repeaters

    Wifi Signal Repeater Cards
    A wireless repeater will take an existing signal from a wireless router or access point and rebroadcast it to create a second network. Those outside of the primary network will be able to connect through the new "repeated" network. However, as far as the original router or access point is concerned only the repeater MAC is connected.

    Wireless repeaters are commonly used to improve signal range and strength within homes and small offices.