What Is A Wireless Router? A Must-Read Post For Beginners!

Where there is no Wireless Router, there is no wireless home network. A Wireless Router is key to establishing a strong and secure wireless home network that enables internet connectivity.

I know this sounds funny and a little bit disappointing at the same time. But as a broke guy, I couldn’t afford a brand new Router.

It was a totally outdated device that required me to be in close proximity to it. However, when I went for the upgrade and got my hands on a new WiFi device, I didn’t have to sit close to the device anymore. That was such a relief to me! The new Router could connect multiple devices simultaneously that too without dying.

Routers and Modems have long been mistaken for being the same device which is not the case. If you follow my words throughout the post, you will be able to make a clear distinction between Routers and Modems.

What Is A Wireless Router?

A Wireless Router (WiFi Router) is a hardware device commonly used to set up an internet access point for multiple devices in a wireless home network.

To set up an internet access point, the Wireless Router connects with a modem that receives the internet from the Internet Service Provider and converts its signals into radio frequencies for other devices such as smartphones and tablets to wirelessly access the internet.

In the chain of internet connectivity starting from the ISP and with the modem being in the middle, a Wireless Router secures the last spot. To make it simple, in the overall process of internet connectivity, it remains in direct contact with other devices.

Although Wireless Routers use a number of radio-wave frequencies, most of the advanced ones are equipped with Wave 2.

How Does A Wireless Router Work?

As the radio frequency broadcaster, a Wireless Router functions in a very simple manner. What the Wireless Router does is that it connects with the modem with the help of a network cable, receives its signals, converts them into radio frequencies, and broadcasts them in the air.

This enables the home networking devices like mobile phones, tablets, and computers to connect to the internet. But that’s not the only part of a Wireless Router’s job.

In addition to broadcasting the radio frequencies into the air, the Wireless Router also controls the data traffic between the devices and the modem.

When multiple devices try to access specific web pages, the Wireless Router records their requests individually and forwards them to the modem. After receiving the requested data from the modem, the Wireless Router forwards them back to each device according to their requests.

The traffic control is so efficient that each device receives the data it requested and there is slim to no chance of getting the data delivered to the wrong devices.

Features Of A Wireless Router

Offering new features with every upgrade, Wireless Routers are shaping home networks for better or worse. As an integral component of wireless internet connectivity, a Wireless Router throws the following features for internet users.

Parental Controls

With the increasing amount of unethical content on the internet, Parental Control options are in more demand than ever before. In fact, it comes as the most important feature for parents that are concerned about the internet activities of their children.

To deal with the growing problem of unethical content, the latest Wireless Routers feature an option to block specific websites. This could be done by editing the settings for each device on the administration option of a Wireless Router.

WPS

Wireless Routers offer Wi-Fi Protected Setup or WPS to bypass the security protocol and get instant access to the internet. Where WPS is a security concern for many, others find it to be a must-have feature to skip unnecessary security protocols. The WPS feature can be a blessing in a situation where you need to connect a new device to the router while you have forgotten the password.

Dedicated Network For Guests

In order to keep the guests away from invading your private home network, Wireless Routers have started to offer guest networks. If your Wireless Router is armed with an option to set up a guest network, you don’t have to change the password of your home network anymore. Rather, what you can do is just set up a guest network using a separate password and share it with the guests.

Average Price Of A Wireless Router

Based on the speed and the coverage range measured in square feet, the price of Wireless Routers could vary. For example, a Wireless Router with a speed of up to 1.75Gbps and a coverage range of 1500 square feet is priced at $70-$110.

A router with the combo of mentioned features would be enough for a basic home network comprised of multiple devices. Keep the speed the same while adding up the coverage range to 2000 square feet and you can expect to pay $150-$180.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wrap Up

If you want to set up a secure wireless home network, you better get a Wireless Router offering all the latest features such as dual banding and VPN connectivity. A good Wireless Router packed with long-range coverage can not only improve your wireless internet experience but can also help you reset the new standards of internet connectivity.