Internet and Technology

A broadband router is a basic device to set up a wired or wireless network. Broadband routers ensure that all the computers on a network can send and receive data to each other and across the Internet. These routers are of both wired and wireless but their features are very similar.
A router actually transfers data packets along networks. It requires at least two networks for a router to connect, commonly it connects two LANs or WANs or a LAN and its ISP’s network. As a connecter device, routers are positioned at gateways, where two or more networks are connected.
Key Role of Broadband Routers
Routers enable sharing your broadband internet among computers or laptops in your office or home network. It directs data to travel along the computers on your network and out over the internet to distant computers and to networks located elsewhere.
Routers are first to face any possible outside viruses, hacking threats and so they are vital in a network. But most internet user may not know this, practiced using anti-virus softwares only. A router safeguards your network by working as a filter between the outside internet world and your computers. In general, broadband modems don’t usually have sophisticated built-in security features, so having a network without a router can leave the door open to hackers and other online threatens. Using a router with an in-built firewall makes your wired or wireless network safer and secure, without being vulnerable for internet threats.
Broadband Router Categories
If broadband is classified into two types in major then the routers also has to be of two types. ADSL modem routers for ADSL broadband users and cable routers for cable broadband users are that two.
Both type of broadband router perform the same function of being an interface between your network and the internet and enabling you to share your internet connection among other computers. The main dissimilarity between these two broadband routers is the way in which they connect to the internet.
Actually, ADSL broadband is accomplished by upgrading your existing telephone line for high-speed internet services. Here ADSL modem routers work by just plugging directly into the upgraded telephone line and thus avoids the need of a separate modem. Once connected, the ADSL modem router is automatically able to share the broadband internet with all the computers in your network.
Cable broadband users connect to the internet via cable modem that is plugged into the cable socket. Cable routers work by plugging it into the provided cable modem’s in-built networking port. This is also known as Ethernet port or RJ-45 connection and you need this to share your cable internet with in your network. Once connected to the modem, which in turn is connected to the cable socket, the cable router shares the broadband internet with all the computers in your network.

Up until recently, consumer wireless router technology was unable to keep up with the demand for wireless media streaming or high capacity long wireless network. While watching your favorite back-episode of Heroes, the video feed might periodically stop to buffer more data. In the middle of a relaxing Sunday afternoon, your wireless streaming music slows down and, eventually, drops out. And, sometimes the signal is completely unattainable, making it impossible to watch an interesting podcast or hold an important video conference.

Luckily, a new breed of wireless routers has appeared on the market. Using the new 802.11n platform, these long range routers exceed the performance standards of the older 802.11 a/b or g technologies. These models deliver transmissions up to 6x faster than even the newest of the g routers. Specifically, the 802.11n wireless routers are able to perform at a rate up to 300mbps (megabits per second) versus the previous 54mbps (megabits per second). Faster speed means faster buffering, and smoother wireless video streaming. In the nutshell, speed of wireless router is totally proportional to the wireless video streaming and buffering. People can also use long range wireless network within or outside of the home with EnGenius’ Long-Range’ products like smart antennas, range extenders etc.

Leading these new routers is the EnGenius long-range wireless multimedia router: ESR-9750G. Since 1999, EnGenius Technologies has been developing wireless communication products for the business market. Using their expertise in that high-volume digital environment, the engineers have created a consumer wireless router that can easily handle the demand for home wireless streaming media. These long range wireless routers promise high speed with flaw less flow of data to satisfy your ever surging demand for the speed and streaming media.The EnGenius ESR-9750G uses the new 802.11n standard technology, which allows the device to operate at those remarkably faster speeds. And, like most of the new wireless routers, the EnGenius model can communicate on the 40 MHz bandwidth channel, which has the ability to carry double the data as the commonly used 20 MHz bandwidth. With the ESR-9750G, you can even set the router to auto select the bandwidth channel for optimal performance.Aware of the poor reliability of home wireless routers, the engineers at EnGenius capitalized on their expertise by making a few powerful additions to the basic 802.11n technology.   Specifically, the ESR-9750G has three standard upgradeable Smart Antennas with MIMO (Multiple In, Multiple Out) Technology, a Universal Repeater feature (also known as a wireless range extender) and QoS (Quality of Service).  This wireless range extender accepts the signals to throws them at the rapid fire rate using the access points.To ensure uninterrupted communication, the ESR-9750G has three smart antennas using MIMO Technology. These smart antennas are able to mediate the transmissions between wireless devices and the ESR router. Even with multiple communications, the antennas are able to prioritize throughput to ensure smooth streaming results. The smart antennas are compatible and can ensure accurate streaming results.If you are listening to wireless streaming music with Vista, and your roommate is playing World of Warcraft on his own wireless laptop, the smart antennas will act as digital “traffic cops” preventing one signal from interfering with the other. While the MIMO Technology is not unique to the ESR models, most routers in its class have only two antennas. More wireless antennas and wireless range extender result in a better streaming experience since more data can be handled at one time.Also unique to the ESR models is something called the Universal Repeater Feature (also known as a wireless range extender); this feature increases the range of wireless communication by redistributing an existing wireless signal. The EnGenius’s Wireless Range Extender is the easy way to increase the effective coverage of your wireless network. Unlike adding a traditional access point to your network to expand wireless coverage, the EnGenius’s Wireless Range Extender does not need to be connected to the network by a data cable. Just put it within range of your main access point or wireless router, and it “bounces” the signals out to remote wireless devices. Dead spots are virtually eliminated since the device is able to send out a beacon to all corners of your home. So if the wireless router is in a home office in the basement, Mom can still watch home videos over YouTube on her laptop from the comfort of her bedroom.And, if your home is particularly large, or you just want the added assurance of uninterrupted wireless streaming media, EnGenius has made their antennas detachable and upgradeable. Such antennas are router friendly also. You can purchase a more powerful set that further increases the range and sensitivity of your router.In addition to efficient wireless communication, the new 802.11n routers improve performance for all your networked devices – including VoIP, network attached storage and, of course, wireless gaming systems. With QoS (Quality of Service) Technology, the wireless router is able to prioritize all forms of digital communication. As expected, the EnGenius models use QoS, making them a very friendly addition to homes with multiple networked devices and intensive use of digital streaming media.While there are many limiting factors affecting the quality of your wireless streaming media experience, your router no longer needs to be one of them. No, you cannot change the speed or effectiveness of your service provider. And you cannot change the number of people downloading the same HD video at the same time. However, you can change the strength and performance of your home wireless network, simply by upgrading to an ESR-9750G wireless router or through wireless range extender. Eliminate the headaches and give yourself an optimal environment for all your wireless streaming media – from digital music and videos, to games and beyond.

Even as you’re reading this, you are probably sitting at a computer that is confined to a particular part of your home, say your bedroom or living room. But, what if you want to use a laptop or computer from anywhere in your house? That’s where a wireless router comes into play. A wireless router is basically a network device that lets you connect several computers to the internet without using a cable, but by using wireless access points, or WLAN. In essence, wireless routers allow the freedom of several users to be able to access the internet. Plus, wireless routers also free you from messy wires. Basically, a wireless router works using signals that have the same radio frequency range as the wireless network card installed in the PC. The significant feature of this exchange of signal system is that both the router and the network card function on the same radio frequency range, thus allowing the transmission of data to and fro, between the devices. In other words, the wireless router uses radio frequency range signals between devices instead of physical wiring connections to transmit signals. Being an intelligent device, a wireless router can determine whether a signal needs to be transmitted to a local computer on the internet or to the internet. The signal’s strength is dependent on the manufacturer along with the internet signal strength that the ISP provides. A wireless network has the added functionality of providing security to the network with firewalls, security keys, and so on. It is not difficult to set up a wireless network. All you need to do is connect the wireless router to your internet connection, and then just set up the drivers in your computer or laptop. You need not worry about anything, because the wireless router that you buy will come along with the drivers, manuals, and CDs, which will help you with the software and driver set up and the configurations. Clearly, there are several advantages that a wireless router provides. The term ‘wireless’ is what it is all about. With a computer connected to a phone line or a cable, you get the sense of being tethered to a machine that is in turn tethered to a fixture or wall. This entails you sitting at one spot for a long time in order to do your work or access the internet. But by fixing a wireless router, you can roam about all over your house, or even building, without having to remain connected to a cable modem or phone jack. This way, if for instance you prefer working outside, you will have the freedom to go out onto the deck, without needing to worry about setting up outdoor cables. If you feel like strolling down to your favorite café for a mug of latte, you can head straight there and surf the net while you wait for the brew to be made. These days, even airports allow you to surf the net without wires while waiting for your plane. Simply put, as long as you have a wireless router in place, especially a long range one, you can log on and surf the net practically from anywhere. Not having to be tethered to a wall is particularly beneficial for employees or self-employed business people. Basically, any location can become your virtual office. With services and stores equipped with wireless routers, it’s easy to set up shop at any convenient restaurant like McDonalds or Panera. And in towns and cities with wireless facilities, access will spell freedom from the confines of a cubicle or tiny office. These days, more and more companies are allowing their employees the option of working from home. Even as far as the sales force of a company is concerned, they can go from place to place without needing to return to the headquarters. Since the nearest Starbucks can be turned into a virtual office, business updates and sales reporting can be carried out via a laptop or PDA. This will mean more time being spent in the sales effort and less time being spent in the office. The broadband router wireless VoIP technology is another great innovation. With this device, you can connect to the internet, using any ordinary phone device. You can then make calls to anybody in the world via your internet connection. So do wireless communications have any drawbacks? Unfortunately, they do. Even though a great deal of flexibility and convenience is offered by this technology, some tradeoffs are there. A wireless network that is shared by all the users of a particular area has less bandwidth. This is felt most often where high-bandwidth multimedia applications or heavy file transfers are used. In addition, it is more difficult to secure wireless networks, plus, the installation of networking wiring to points of access requires coordination and long lead times with some combination of facilities maintenance and OIT. Hence, if you are thinking of going in for a wireless router you need to take the drawbacks into consideration. Before buying a wireless router, it is best to check out the reviews about various brands in the market. There are many reliable and well-known brands such as Belkin wireless router, Netgear wireless router, and Linksys wireless router. Check out online to see which one will suit your needs, whether at home or in the office. Wireless routers make life far more convenient and easier. You can go anywhere, without being restricted by wires and still be able to access the internet.