What does a wi fi router do? What is a Wi-Fi router? How it works and its actual purpose

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In the modern world you will no longer meet a person who does not have a computer. Computers are no longer something unusual and unidentified, as it seemed several decades ago. Nowadays, in addition to a desktop computer, many people buy laptops.

I’ll make a reservation right away. Router and router are two names for one device. This is a network device that makes decisions about sending packet data between different network segments. That is, it connects to the Internet and deals with the process of sending data between connected computers and the network.

New (modern) routers also perform a protective function (from external threats), regulate network user access to Internet resources, distribute IP addresses, encrypt traffic, and much more.

A standard home router is a small, compact device that consists of a hardware unit with an antenna and a cord with a power supply at the end. When buying a router, do not forget that you will definitely need an outlet where the device is installed.

A home network through a router is the integration of all home computers into one local network with Internet access. Home routers usually have four ports, which allow you to connect four network devices to the router via cable.

It is not recommended to load a home router with a large number of devices, as the device’s performance may drop significantly.

Another feature for some models routers, is the presence of a USB port, which makes it possible to use connected flash drives or hard drives like file servers, and also if you have a 3g modem, you can connect it to your home router and distribute 3g Internet.

As a rule, the presence of a USB port allows you to use the router also as a print server. By connecting your printer to it, you can send documents for printing from any computer connected to the network. Another important feature is the ability to work in VPN client mode, thanks to special firmware.

I think no one wants to hang their apartment with numerous wires, so further, we will talk about choosing a wireless Wi-Fi router.
The Wi-Fi capabilities of the router also include Internet access.

I would like to immediately clarify that wi-fi is a technology for wireless data transmission. Therefore, you can connect to the network without a cable (over the air) if your devices support Wi-Fi connection.

This is very convenient, for example, because you can connect the cable coming from your provider to the router and configure it, then connect all devices to the router either by cable (desktop computers) or using wi-fi, without wires.

By connecting your laptop, smartphone or tablet in this way, you can easily move around the house while calmly communicating on Skype or leaving comments on a social network.

Main types of Wi-Fi routers

ADSL WiFi routers. A telephone line is used to connect to the Internet. Copper two-core wire. WAN port for RJ-11 connector. The same is used for the telephone. Used to configure providers providing Internet services using ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) technology. An outdated type of equipment, but still in use today.
Ethernet WiFi routers. The most common. Used to connect to the Internet using twisted pair cables. WAN port for connecting to the operator’s network using Ethernet technology. Connector type RJ-45.
3G and 4G WiFi routers. Using a built-in modem, in the slot of which a SIM card is installed, it is capable of receiving and transmitting signals in the wireless communication networks of mobile operators. At the same time being a router and an access point for distributing the Internet to internal clients via wi-fi.
Hybrid WiFi routers (universal). Able to use multiple technologies to gain access to the Internet. For example. ADSL+Ethernet, Ethernet+3G (4G) and even ADSL+Ethernet+3G (4G). In such devices, you can configure a backup communication channel if the main one disappears.

Routers are divided into amateur and professional.
The more expensive the better. This principle is suitable for almost any technique.
When choosing a Wi-Fi router, you should pay attention to the device that operates according to the 802.11g standard. In this designation, the letter g is the data transfer rate. Modern Wi-Fi routers can exchange data at speeds of up to 54 Mbps.
TKIP support will provide excellent protection for your router.

Also, 802.11g routers can serve more than 25 computers and other network devices.
Today, the wi-fi 802.11 “n” standard is becoming increasingly relevant; its throughput reaches, in theory, 600 Mbit/s.

Basic WI-FI standards

802.11a standard:

Frequency range - 5 GHz;
The range is up to 30 meters.

802.11b standard:

Information transfer speed - 11 Mbit/s;
Frequency range - 2.4 GHz;
The range of action (in the absence of volumetric partitions) is up to 50 meters.

802.11g standard:

Information transfer speed - 54 Mbit/s;
Frequency range - 2.4 GHz;
Range of action - up to 50 meters.

802.11n standard:

Information transfer speed is theoretically up to 480 Mbit/s, but in practice it is half as much;
Frequency range - 2.4 or 5 GHz;
Range of action - up to 100 meters.

802.11ac standard:

Information transfer speed - theoretical speed up to 1.3 Gbit/s. In practice, throughput is up to 600 Mbit/s.
Frequency range - 2.4+5 GHz;
Range of action - up to 400 meters of line of sight.

The main thing is not to forget that a wireless Wi-Fi router is primarily intended for connecting several computers and accessing the Internet.

I also suggest watching a short video on creating a home Wi-Fi network

Even people far from high technology are familiar with the words “router”, “modem” and “router”. Moreover, if you have accessed the Internet at least once from a computer or laptop, you have used at least one of these devices. But which one exactly? Let's try to figure it out, and at the same time find out what the Internet is delivering in your home.

What is a router and what is it for?

The router, router and modem are designed to transmit Internet signals to users' devices.

They just do it in different ways. Such a network can be local or with Internet access. If we are talking about a household router, then its task is to distribute the incoming signal between several consumers: computers, laptops, tablets and other gadgets. These devices are connected both wired (via an Ethernet cable) and via a radio channel - via Wi-Fi.

How the router works

Where does the router get the signal from? It is provided by the Internet provider with whom you have entered into an agreement. It is the provider who owns the cable that enters the premises from the street and is connected to a special connector on the router (blue WAN port). The router plays the role of an intermediary: it receives an incoming signal from one source and distributes it to several consumers. He does this according to a strictly defined principle, using a routing table.

The routing table is stored in the router's memory and contains a list of network addresses and a number of other parameters that are important in the operation of the network (masks, gateway addresses, interfaces, metrics). This table is something like an address book - the paths to devices connected to the router are written there. Addresses are selected in such a way as to provide the shortest path to the device, whose presence on the network is checked at a specified interval. Internet data packages are transmitted only to active consumers. That is, if you turn off your computer or smartphone (as an option, turn off data transmission in them), very soon the router will “find out” about this and stop transmitting data to the address to which this device corresponds.

How devices interact with the router

Wired devices - and most often these are PCs that do not have their own Wi-Fi module - are connected to the router via cable, through LAN ports, which are highlighted in yellow for clarity. Devices that have a wireless module - almost all laptops, smartphones, tablets and some TVs - are connected via a radio channel (via Wi-Fi). The number of connections available for one router is limited. However, for home use in 90% of cases, a simple and inexpensive router model is sufficient. But the wireless connection has another important limitation - speed. It is determined by the power of the antenna and the supported Wi-Fi standard, but it is also influenced by external factors - for example, the presence of thick walls between the router and the Internet consuming device can reduce the data transfer speed.

What else can a router do?

The router does not only distribute the Internet to several consumer devices. In modern models there are other, no less useful and interesting functions. For example, some routers perform the function of firewalls - “firewalls”. These "screens" check data packets to see if they belong to an existing connection. If the router sees a discrepancy, it means that a virus is breaking into the network, masquerading as a harmless service. For routers from well-known manufacturers - Asus, D-Link, TP-Link and others - this function is called SPI (Stateful Packet Inspection).

To configure the router, a web interface is used, in which any user with basic knowledge of working with a PC can easily set the desired network operating parameters. USB ports on the body of this device are needed to connect a printer or external storage device. In the first case, it will be a full-fledged network printer, and in the second, it will be a network disk storage. Place files on an external drive, and they will be available to all devices on the network, or arrange for downloading files from the network to it (for example, on torrent services).

Router and router are the same thing

Anyone who carefully read the previous text probably noticed the phrase “routing table” there. It was said above that it is the router that builds it. Therefore, it received another name - router. And the router is a transliteration of the name of this device ( routerin English.). Both words are used with approximately equal frequency by technical specialists, while ordinary Internet users prefer the word “router.”

What is a modem and how does it differ from a router?

If modem turned out to be another name for a router/router, the article could be finished. But a modem is a different type of device, although it is also a network device. Those users who were born before 1990 probably heard the characteristic sounds that ADSL modems used to signal a successful connection to the Internet. Such devices were used by everyone for whom cable networks were not available to access the network - at the turn of the 90s and 2000s they were an unheard of luxury. ADSL modems were connected to the telephone line in order to convert the analog (in this case telephone) signal into a digital signal that could be understood by a computer or laptop.

Converting a signal from one type to another is the main function of the modem. Unlike a router, it transmits a signal to only one device - for example, a PC or laptop. In this case, the modem is not assigned its own IP address (unlike a router), and a computer is identified on the network by the address of its network card.

If ADSL modems are already worthy of becoming museum exhibits, then mobile (3G and 4G) modems, on the contrary, are in great demand. Instead of a telephone line, they use the mobile signal of a cellular operator. And they connect to computers and laptops via USB connectors on the case. Mobile modems are compact and this is a big plus: they can be used not only at home, but also in the park, in transport - wherever there is coverage of the selected cellular operator.

By the way, we come across modems much more often than one might think. Today there are hybrid devices - modems with router functions. They not only distribute the incoming signal between several devices, but also pre-convert it. Also, routers and modems sometimes work in tandem. For example, if the router has a USB port, you can connect a mobile modem for 3G/4G networks to it. Since the latter is not physically capable of distributing the Internet to several devices at the same time, the router will take on this task. This is convenient when it is impossible to organize the usual cable connection or there is no desire to get confused in the wires laid around the office or apartment.

What kind of device distributes the Internet at your home?

We are sure that you have already received the answer to this question yourself, but just in case, we will voice it again. If an external cable is connected to this device, it is either a classic router or a modem with router function. If the signal enters the building wirelessly and the Internet connection is used on one device, it is a classic mobile modem for 3G or 4G networks. Your Internet service provider will provide you with more accurate information about your network equipment. You can also find out which device is suitable for servicing the number of devices you have at home. Often a family of 3-4 people owns the same number of smartphones, a couple of tablets and one laptop or PC. And the TV also needs the Internet, and some smart kitchen gadget is about to need it - for example, Samsung and LG are already releasing smart refrigerators with Wi-Fi! If you are just planning to connect to the Internet, visit the OnLime online store - we have routers, hybrid devices, PLC adapters and other equipment that you will need to organize a home network.

By the way, this article describes the common features of network devices and how to identify them. Seeing how technology is developing in the digital world, we will not be surprised if in 2-3 years the concept changes and new hybrid devices will serve Internet consumers.

Important information about routers, routers and modems

Router and router are two names for one device.
The router distributes the signal between network participants, and the modem only decrypts it and transmits it to one device.
The router has its own IP address, but the modem does not.
A router is a multifunctional device that supports fine-tuning; a modem performs one function.
Routers (routers) and mobile modems can work together, distributing the Internet to several devices.

In this article you will learn why you need a router or router.

Navigation

As you know, modern Internet technologies require high-speed routers due to the large volume of traffic transmitted through them.

Why do you need a router?

First, let's figure out what it is.

A router, also known as a Wi-Fi router, is a device that redirects data from one network to several; in other words, it is what allows you to distribute Wi-Fi.

If the computer has a local network, then the router allows you to use this network from other devices, also with different IP addresses.

Modern routers are able to independently determine the priority of traffic and build a more accessible route.

It is customary to distinguish between two types of devices:

Compact routers, this is probably on the computer in every family; it is capable of providing an apartment or house with the Internet.
Professional routers, our smartphones find them when we go to McDonald's, in other words, these are routers that work in large enterprises and are capable of connecting dozens of users to their network. Such devices have a large amount of memory and actually represent a small minicomputer.

Advantage is that the router is compatible with all types of interface modules.

What classes of routers are there?

Let's go through the classes of routers, there are not many of them, only three, namely:

Upper These are the most expensive devices, only large companies and enterprises can afford them; the average person doesn’t need such a device. They support many different interfaces and protocols, and the router itself has up to fifty ports for both local and wide area networks.
Average, then everything is on average, usually such routers are installed in a cafe, or in a small enterprise, providing clients and employees with an accessible network.
Lower, these are the ones that every family has, they are not expensive, convenient, and, in principle, do an excellent job of what they were created for.

What types of router connections are there?

Based on the type of connection, there are only two types.

Wired router
Wi-Fi router

It seemed like what was the difference between them?

Both devices are created for the same thing, distributing the Internet, and the differences between them are outrageously small.

As the name suggests, a wired router distributes what you need through your Internet cable, while a Wi-Fi router can do this without any wires.

Nowadays, most people need an Internet network. Therefore, it is possible that when choosing between the Internet and TV, they will choose the Internet. After all, with the help of Internet access, you immediately have the opportunity to watch TV channels and other multimedia content.

IN in this case The best decision would be to buy a router. Installing it can sometimes be problematic, so you will have to contact a specialist or carefully read the installation instructions. And at that desired moment, Wi-Fi will scatter throughout the apartment, this is where a person gets a second wind.

Interesting! Undoubtedly, a router is a very useful thing; lately they have been installed everywhere, in cafes, cinemas, entertainment centers, and even at universities.

What is the operating principle of the router?

The Internet is a kind of repository of various packages, it is through them that we receive the necessary information. And when the router finds the address of the packet, it sends it to the connected devices.

It is worth noting, that even for a thousand rubles you can find a quite good router that will have characteristics not so different from professional ones.

But there is another side to all this, not so long ago, after Windows 10 update, an innovation has appeared called Mobile Hot Stop.

For those who don't know.

Hot-stop is a kind of router, inside the computer.

If your laptop is connected to the network via a cable, then when you enable the function, the PC will automatically distribute Wi-Fi, you just need to set the network name and password, nothing complicated.

The function itself is in the parameters " Networks and Internet", with such an innovation, the need for a router instantly fades into the background, it’s convenient and easy, but there is one problem, in this case, the laptop or computer must always be turned on, which, you see, is not good.

Remember! Using a router does not in any way affect the cost of your Internet tariff, it will remain the same, especially since now everyone is connecting to unlimited Internet traffic.

The speed of most devices is 100 Mb/s, and this is quite enough for all needs, but professional routers are equipped with much higher speeds.

What can be used as a router?

You can also use your smartphone as a Wi-Fi router; all communicators on the Android platform have a data transfer function, in which our device turns into a manual router.

It should be remembered, that with such a distribution, only mobile Internet traffic is wasted, so be careful, before even a minute has passed, a message arrives asking you to replenish your traffic.

When was the first router created, and what were its capabilities?

Now it doesn’t hurt to know the history of the router; it’s hard to believe, but the first prototype appeared back in 1974, and two years later, from three local devices with three routers, the image of the World Wide Web arose.

Interesting! The first routers could not independently determine the route; this required an administrator to draw up a map.

Modern routers are able to protect the local network from malware by encrypting traffic. They also have many different types of security for different algorithms, among them: Ex-WEP, WAP, WPA and others.

It should be noted that some wireless routers also include a DSL or cable modem in addition to the components.

Wireless routers or routers, have come a long way.

In 1999, the protocol standard was 802.11b, which used a frequency range of 2.4 GHz, which provided an information transfer rate of 11 Mbit. The latest technology used is based on the 802.11n standard, or it can be called 11N, its speed is 150-300 Mbit/s, believe me, your Internet is based on this standard.

What is the difference between a switch and a router?

Along with the router and router, there is also a similar device, switch.

At the same time, there is a difference between them, for example, a router works much simpler, it distributes the Internet, while with a switch it is a complex contraption with its own tricks.

It can be said that the switch is a tee, while router, smart tee. The difference may not be visible to the average person at first glance, but it is there.

Both gadgets differ in many parameters, price, speed, etc.

Having considered what characteristics of routers exist, we can briefly summarize the parameters that you should focus on if you want to buy a device.

If you need to organize an accessible Internet zone, then without any hesitation, you need to choose a router with this function.
Don't forget to pay attention to the wireless standard.
Believe me, there is no point in buying a powerful router if your Internet speed is initially low, or in this case, there is only one piece of advice, change your tariff to a faster network.

Video: What is a router for?

Almost every home already has several devices with Internet access. In order to connect them into one network and connect to the global network, a router is used. From this article we will learn what a router is and why it is needed.

At the moment, most Internet users have already forgotten about the wired connection of devices.

Definition of a router and its purpose

A router is a special network device for distributing the Internet signal received from the provider among users. Despite the abundance of models with varied functionality, their main purpose is:

creating a home network (with sufficient range);
implementation of Internet access as an access point for several devices;
increasing network coverage area.

Types of routers

By connection method to the computer

External - in the form of a separate unit connected to a PC via a network cable or via Wi-Fi.
Internal - built into the body. The advantage is that it does not take up space on the table.

By use:

Home - ordinary models for use at home.
Automotive - compact 3G routers that operate from a car cigarette lighter or battery.
Mini-routers are compact models for the home with limited functionality.
Routers for TVs.
3G-Wi-Fi router - equipped with a SIM card slot, battery powered.

Main functions

Internet access type

ADSL- the connection works through a telephone line, through which you can make calls and use the Internet at the same time. The maximum speed is several tens of megabits per second.

Ethernet (FTTB)- fiber optic cable. The fastest type of connection. The speed offered by providers is up to 100 megabits, and in rare cases - up to 1 gigabit.

3G/LTE- allows you to distribute mobile Internet. The speed is limited by the capabilities of the telecom operator and the quality of coverage.

There are combined models capable of distributing a network obtained from different sources. You should find out what technology your Internet access provider uses. Models of the latter type are usually sold in mobile phone stores.

Communication standard and connection speed

Today there are several communication standards with different speeds:

802.11a - up to 54 Mbit/s;
802.11 b - up to 11 Mbit/s;
802.11 g - up to 54 Mbit/s;
802.11 n - up to 600 Mbit/s;
the latest 802.11 ac - over 1 Gbit/s.

Absolutely all 2015 models are equipped with support for the 802.11 n standard, and more and more models are equipped with support for 802.11 ac, however, they are still very expensive.

How does the communication standard affect the quality of work? It all depends on the Internet speed, according to the terms of your tariff plan. When the router is old or does not support high-speed standards, it will simply reduce the speed of the Internet channel. The most budget models, according to manufacturers, are capable of exchanging data at speeds of up to 150 megabits, although in practice it is somewhat less. More advanced devices provide up to 300, and the most sophisticated - up to 600 and even 1200 Mbit/s.

It is a very rare Internet provider that offers speeds above 100 Mbit, which should be enough even for the lower threshold. Very high speeds are needed when you either connect many devices to the network or exchange huge amounts of data between them.

Number of antennas and range

The range depends on many factors: the number of walls and their material, the number of antennas, and whether it is from 10 to 100 meters. The cheapest and lowest-power Wi-Fi routers are equipped with one antenna, while more expensive and more powerful models are equipped with two, three or more. In principle, the simplest router is quite enough for an apartment or small house.

Don’t assume that a large number of antennas will increase Internet speed indoors

Data encryption

Cybercrime has reached unprecedented levels, and when you think that using the Internet at home, your data is completely safe, you are deeply mistaken. If the communication channel is not sufficiently protected, attackers can easily intercept data such as logins and passwords, and financial data. Be sure to encrypt your Wi-Fi communication channel!

All routers support WEP, WPA/WPA-2 communication security standards. The latter is considered the most reliable, we recommend choosing it.

Connection interfaces

Each router can distribute the Internet not only via Wi-Fi, but also via wire. Most models are equipped with four ports. What can they be useful for? For example, if you have a desktop computer or an interactive TV set-top box, you can connect them via cable, because it is still a more reliable connection and does not suffer from speed drops like Wi-Fi. In this regard, he is better. In cheaper models, the local network port operates at a speed of 100 Mbit/s, while more expensive devices are equipped with 1 Gbit/s ports.

The presence of a USB slot will allow you to connect memory cards and external hard drives to the router, and then the data stored on them will become available to other network participants. And by connecting a printer, you can print from any device and anywhere in the house.

A user who cannot connect to a traditional provider for technical reasons will find the ability to connect a 3G modem very useful. In any case, its presence will become a backup option, a safety net in case of problems with a regular connection.

Conclusion

A Wi-Fi router is a very necessary device in the arsenal of equipment for an active user of the World Wide Web. You now know what it is for and how it works. We hope you found the information useful and improved your computer literacy. We will be glad to receive your comments with feedback on the material.

My dear reader, if you are asking such a question, then with a high degree of probability you do not need a router at all. Especially if you don’t even know what a router is. However, if you are interested in what kind of piece of hardware this is and what it can give you personally, then read this article. Let me make a reservation right away that describing the principles of operation of local computer networks and individual protocols is not the scope of this particular article. In addition, we will consider the issue only from the perspective of a simple home user, without going into the capabilities of routers in offices and corporate networks.

So what is a router? In addition to the name already announced, this device has the name “router”. However, the word “router” is a translation from the English router, which can be translated exactly as “router”. The official definition of a router sounds something like this - it is a network device that makes decisions about forwarding network layer packets between any network segments, based on the information contained in it about the network topology and a number of rules. This technical information is unlikely to help a person who is far from understanding the principles of network functioning.

Therefore, I will explain what is called “on the fingers”. A router is a device that allows you to provide access to a public network to several devices (computers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones, etc.) via one channel. This is what it is used for in most home networks. That is, using one connection to an Internet provider, the owner of a router can connect several devices at once.

I illustrate with a simple example. At home there is a desktop PC, a laptop, a cell phone with Wi-Fi and a single network cable thrown into the apartment by the provider’s not-so-careful installers. You can connect only one device to this cable - either a PC or a laptop. It is impossible to connect the phone, since Wi-Fi is not provided.

If a laptop and a PC are connected to each other by a small network via a switch, then only one person will still be able to access the Internet - the PC or the laptop. Both devices will not be able to access the Internet at the same time, as there will be problems with authorization.

Now let's add a router to this diagram. Most modern routers (we only consider ready-made solutions) have several ports with RJ-45 connectors for connecting (wired) devices over a network, as well as a Wi-Fi adapter that also allows you to connect devices that have a similar adapter. Of course, the router has a port for provider wire connections (WAN).

With the help of a router we can connect all our home devices into a local network as it forwards packets between the home devices connected to it. In addition, by setting up authorization and completing (according to the provider’s instructions) setting up the network for Internet access, we can use it to distribute access to the World Wide Web to all devices that need it. That is, the scheme is this: the router is authorized (logs into the provider’s network), and all devices (PC, laptop, mobile phone) appear in the settings as a “gate” to the network, providing them with a common channel. Please note that the Internet channel remains the same, that is, its bandwidth is divided among everyone.

It is possible to use one of the computers as a router, but setting it up can be somewhat more complicated than setting up a ready-made solution, and for most users (such a computer must work constantly to provide Internet access to everyone else) there is no point in this option - it’s easier to buy a router. Therefore, when there are several devices at home that you would like to connect to the Internet, this is definitely a reason to look at a router.

Modern routers may also have: a built-in firewall - to protect against hacker attacks, a DHCP server - to dynamically assign network addresses on the local network, and much more. In general, for a home network, this is an excellent device that provides shared Internet access, protection and the existence of the local network itself.

I hope that it has become clearer to you what a router is and why it is needed in your apartment. In fact, in modern conditions this is a completely common device, considering the number of devices and gadgets in many families that need access to the Internet.