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Higher throughput than most software + computer solutions (especially Windows based)<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Doesn’t require a computer to be running to allow access for other computers.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Reliable and runs without much, if any attention, once you set it up.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Doesn’t contain any files or software that can be harmed, stolen, copied, deleted, etc.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Disadvantages<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n
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Higher cost than using part of an existing computer.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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Still<\/strong>\u00a0requires configuration.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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May not support VPN or tunneling at all, or may have only limited support.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
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May not support the applications that you use.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
So you’ve read the list and your mind is still made up… you want a router!\u00a0 Not long ago, you wouldn’t have had much choice for affordable Hardware routers.\u00a0 However, today there are many choices under\u00a0$200<\/strong>, and you can frequently find good products\u00a0under $100<\/strong>\u00a0via special offers and rebates.<\/p>\n
Like any other product, the less expensive the price, the fewer the features.\u00a0 If your needs are simple, you may be very happy with the least expensive choices.\u00a0 Other factors, however, can move you up the price scale.<\/p>\n
What follows are some points to keep in mind when selecting a router.\u00a0 Read them through and go to the\u00a0Product Guide<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>The Guide has a summary of\u00a0specifications<\/strong>, links to the manufacturer’s Web site, links to our\u00a0Product Reviews<\/strong>, and links to our\u00a0Opinion<\/strong>\u00a0feature.\u00a0 You can also get a side-by-side comparison of up to four products. Or if you want to try to take the easy way out, you can see what we recommend if you\u00a0go here<\/a><\/b>.\u00a0 But you’ll probably be happier with your selection if you do your homework… so keep reading!<\/p>\n
But I don’t have a broadband connection…<\/strong><\/p>\n
Even if you don’t have a broadband connection, sharing your dial up or ISDN Internet connection can still be worth it!\u00a0 You won’t get lightning-fast page load speeds, but simple web-browsing, emailing and instant messaging uses the Internet connection intermittently.\u00a0 During the time when you’re reading a web page or email that you just downloaded, someone else can be using the connection.<\/p>\n
A number of broadband routers have a serial connector on the WAN (Internet) side of the router, where you can connect a dial up modem or ISDN TA.\u00a0 You can find them in the Product Guide by just\u00a0clicking here<\/a><\/b>.<\/p>\n
Hub, Switch or roll-your-own?<\/h3>\n
One of the first choices you’ll need to make is whether to look for a router with a built in hub or switch.<\/p>\n
\u00a0Go here for definitions of hubs and switches<\/a><\/b><\/p>\nIf you have a busy LAN with heavy traffic between some of your computers, you might be better off using a switch to connect your LAN computers, instead of a hub.\u00a0 The switch will isolate the busier network connections from the less busy ones and not slow down computers trying to connect to the Internet.<\/p>\n
Whether you add a switch or hub to your router, or buy a router with either built-in, is just a matter of convenience and cost.\u00a0 You can always add one if your otherwise perfect choice doesn’t have one.\u00a0 See\u00a0this page<\/a><\/b>\u00a0for the how-to!<\/p>\n
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