IMPORTANT FEATURES TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A WI-FI ROUTER
Wireless routers are popular. You can find them in cafes, offices, homes, and restaurants. Most people who buy Wi-Fi routers get them from ISP providers. This comes with a lot of conveniences as they have already done the setup. However, if you connect many devices to these routers, the network becomes slow. Before buying a mobile wifi 3s, you should consider the following features.
Wi-Fi Standard
Technology keeps advancing. As a result, router manufacturers keep incorporating new wireless standards. As you search for a new Wi-Fi router to purchase, you should think about the Wi-Fi standard it can support. The common routers support 802.11g, but you can find the newer versions that support 802.11n. The newer standards can offer a speed of up to 600 Mbps.
Frequency
When it comes to frequency, you are required to choose between single-band or dual-band. The main frequencies are 5 GHz and 2.5 GHz. Ideally, the main differences with these frequencies lay on range and interference. It is advisable to go for the dual-band because it is less cluttered and offers a fast connection. Moreover, you will enjoy minimal disturbance. This allows you to get the maximum gain from the same bandwidth. If you are connecting multiple devices you should go for a dual-band router.
The single-band frequency is prone to congestion and interference. However, this type of router is more affordable than the dual-band.
Antenna Range
Ideally, you need a smooth connection. Thus, you need to place your router in an ideal location in your office or home. Make sure it is far from physical obstacles and gadgets that can cause interference. You should note that you cannot measure the range of the router theoretically. The range depends on several factors. Make sure you pay attention to dBi ratings. For instance, a Wi-Fi router for an apartment will have a range of 2 to 4 dBi. However, if you are buying a wireless router for a large office, you should go for a higher dBi rating.
Security
The truth is that wireless networks are prone to attacks. In fact, any person within the range can easily spy on your online activities. You do not want attackers to hijack the connection and get access to the files and data. In fact, hackers can even infect your system with malware and viruses. Even though modern routers have a variety of security measures, such as additional encryption, they are still vulnerable. Ensure you choose a router with WPA2. Also, the devices you add to the network should be compatible.
Router Ports
Nearly every router comes with multiple USB ports. You need to know what you can do with the available USB ports. For instance, most routers have USB ports for transferring setup data. The modern ones allow you to connect hard drives and the device connected to your network can access lots of resources. Also, you should pay attention to the type of USB ports. For instance, there are USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 ports. It is recommended to go for router