The Pros and Cons of Using Wireless Routers

The Pros and Cons of Using Wireless Routers

Wireless routers are popular, and as prevalent, as MP3 players and game consoles today. It's estimated that 5 out of 10 homes today have these devices to connect their computers and other compatible units to the Internet. Routers come in varied shapes, colors and sizes, and these devices are also churned out by a number of electronics manufacturers. Here are a few tidbits regarding the pros and cons of using wireless routers.

What Is A Router and How Does It Work?

A router primarily acts like a middleman of sorts to two different networks. For example, when data is sent between different physical locations, the router acts like a go-between and redirects data into the appropriate location. While conventional routers were connected by cables that ran from the broadband box to the PC or laptop's socket, a wireless router, through the help of an antenna, converts broadcast signals that are received via telephone wires, and relays them to the intended network or computer unit.

Works Just Like a Cordless Phone

A wireless router works just like a mobile or cordless phone, because it uses radio frequencies to transfer data among systems in a given network. The router receives data from the Internet or another network and converts it into wireless radio signals that it transmits to a computer. This type of router has a built-in wireless card or adapter, and both the computer network and adapter need to be within the same frequency range for them to work well. The main features of a wireless router include a LAN or Local Area Network port, WAN port (Wide Area Network) and wireless router antenna.

Advantages and Limits

Wireless routers are great devices to have at home or the office. Probably the biggest advantage is mobility. If you have a laptop, a wireless Internet connection can allow you to bring it to the house, office or any area that can receive the adequate signals. By having a wireless router, you also won't need to drill holes at home or at the workplace, or see tangled wires in your area. These devices though have their limits too. Among the drawbacks include security, because it can be quite easy for others outside the home or office to connect to its signal. These items are quite pricey too, and the longer the distance, the weaker the signal the router gets.

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