Wireless Network Overview - Are you in the market for a new wireless router for your home or business?

Wireless Network Overview - Are you in the market for a new wireless router for your home or business?

The demand for high speed internet access is increasing exponentially thanks to the rapid sales and growth in usage of mobile phones, tablets, netbooks and wireless  consumer devices such as TV’s and streaming media players all requiring secure wireless access to the internet.

Recent Market Research reports support the growing expectations by mobile users for the availability of ubiquitous access to the internet wherever they go. They want to check their email, Facebook, YouTube, and keep in touch with the office, family and friends. Reports also state that over 160 million tablets are expected to be shipped by manufacturers of these devices during 2013, of which 74 per cent will have Wi-Fi as their preferred method of getting online. For the many users of tablets, smartphones and laptops, remember, Wi-Fi will be the "mainstay" of connectivity for most of these devices.

Consumer Wireless Routers vs. Business Wireless Access Points

If you’re in the market to buy new wireless equipment for your home or business you should first determine what wireless device best serves your needs before you invest. You may be tempted by all the new wireless access points and wireless routers available on the market with all their flashy jargon and features, some of which is self-defeating or too complicated for a wireless router setup and will quickly become a frustrating experience. Read below for a brief description of both a wireless router and a wireless access point.

A wireless router is a device that performs the functions of a router and also the functions of a wireless access point. Wireless routers are commonly used in home wireless networks and generally have only one wireless router to connect all the computers in a home to provide access to the Internet or a home computer network by wireless devices. Most wireless routers are converged devices that may include the AP, a router, and often, an ethernet switch with single or multiple integrated Gigabit ethernet or fast ethernet ports to connect addition wired devices such as a desktop computer. Some dual-band wireless routers operate on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands simultaneously. Currently, most new wireless routers support IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n and the new AC standard with a theoretical throughput of up to 1300Mbps. These AC wireless devices are aimed squarely at home use consumers emphasizing the ability to stream media.  

A wireless access point (WAP) is a device that is used to extend the wireless range and is mostly used in a business environment and allows guest and employee wireless devices to connect to a corporate network using Wi-Fi. The AP usually connects to a router or switch via a wired network as a standalone device, but it can be an integral component of the router itself, a stand-a-lone AP cannot function as a router.  A typical corporate network involves attaching several APs to a wired network and then providing wireless access to the office LAN. The wireless access points are managed via a WLAN Controller which handles channel use, RF power, authentication, and security. Common are the single-band 2.4GHz wireless router or the 5GHz devices and the now the very popular dual-band Access Point with both 2.4 and GHz antennas to serve the various mobile devices available today.

A reasonably priced dual band unit will happily satisfy the data demands for your wireless TV’s, tablets, Netflix, and gaming requirements. A strong, reliable and fast wireless system does not have to cost a lot so with the above information you will be better prepared to make an informed decision when you do make your purchase.

Note: High end dual-band wireless routers and wireless access points have data transfer rates up to 300Mbps for the 2.4 GHz band and 450Mbps for the 5 GHz band.  There are also wireless routers that now have a USB port for connecting to a 3G or 4G mobile broadband modem.