Wireless routers work connected to the broadband network. They have antennas, internal or external, which are fundamental for transmitting the signal for wireless connection, thus reaching devices with wireless connection, such as smartphones, tablets and notebooks.

They function as signal “redistributors”, creating a wireless network that allows multiple devices to be connected simultaneously.

The router information between the network and the connected devices by placing the data in small “packets”. It assigns an “IP Address” to each device on the network. IP addresses can be temporary and change as devices connect and disconnect from the network.

Another factor to consider when choosing a wireless router is its installation and configuration process. If you are not an expert in the technology area, preferably products with a simplified installation interface. Check out configuration tips:

• • Connect the modem to the router’s WAN / Internet port using an Ethernet cable;
  • Connect at least one PC to the router via Ethernet. This connection is necessary to adjust the product settings;
  • If available, use the setup wizard;
  • Check the router’s IP address – available in the manual or on a label affixed to the packaging – and type it in any internet browser and press enter;
  • Find the “Wireless” tab in the router’s configuration options;
  • In the “SSID” field, determine the name of the network and save the changes;
  • Finally, set a password to protect your connection in the “Security” option inside the “Wireless” tab. Change the authentication type to “WPA” and, in the password field (“WPA Key” or “WPA passphrase”), type the password you chose.

The price of a wireless router varies depending on the model and settings. It is possible to find simpler models starting at R $ 50. The most complete models and powerful extra features can cost more than R $ 500.

You can buy wireless routers in physical stores that sell electronic devices, computer items and computer accessories. However, it is on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon, that it is possible to find the greatest variety of the product.

Purchasing Criteria: How to Compare Wireless Router Types

Now that you have a lot of general information about wireless routers, check out the list of features that you can compare to recognize the best router option to meet your needs and expectations. Are they:

• Pattern
• Bands
• Antennas
• Connections

Below we will detail these characteristics, to end your doubts once and for all:

Pattern

The router protocol standard is expressed by the 802.11 code, followed by letters. The most popular are 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n and the latest 802.11ac. The 802.11ac standard offers data transmission at a higher rate, with more stability and signal range.

But before purchasing a router, make sure that the devices that will be connected support the equipment standard, to avoid loss of speed. In general the capacities are:

• Standard G: Up to 54 mbps (low usage);
• Standard N: Between 150 mbps and 300 mbps (standard users);
• The AC standard: Up to 1 Gbps (high volume of connections).

Bands

The frequencies or bands of wireless routers are measured in giga-hertz (GHz). These are the factors that determine the data exchange speed of the Wi-Fi networks created by the device. Currently, products available on the market have support for 2.4GHz or 5GHz networks.

There are also dual-band models since they support the creation of 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. With these models it is possible to switch between networks as needed, escaping the interference that is commonly caused by 2.4GHz networks.

Antennas

Wireless routers can have internal or external antennas. Internal versions provide less coverage than external versions. The number of external antennas may vary from one model to another. The antennas also vary in dBi, which represents the gain or power of the accessory. The higher the dBi, the more power the antenna has to distribute the signal.

The more antennas the model has chosen, the greater its ability to manage the network and the connection with different devices. So if you are going to connect more than two devices to your wireless network, invest in models with 3 or more external antennas.

Connections

In addition to the number of antennas, other factors influence the connection capacity of the router. For this reason, the number of simultaneous connections supported by the chosen model is a detail that needs to be carefully checked.

Analyze if day to day there will be the connection of many devices, in addition to the average data consumed by each one. By choosing the appropriate capacity you avoid inconveniences such as connection drops, slow loading, crashes, etc.