Wireless Internet Router
By definition, a router transfers packets between networks. The router chooses the next best link to send packets on in order to reach closer to the destination. Routers use Internet Protocol (IP) packet headers and routing tables, as well as internal protocols to determine the best path for each packet. Most routers connect a LAN (like the one in your home or office) to a WAN (like the cable system running your cable modem) by interfacing a broadband modem to the network within the enterprise, small office, or home.A wireless LAN router adds a built-in access point function to a multi-port Ethernet router. This combines multiple Ethernet networks with wireless connections as well. A typical WLAN router includes four Ethernet ports, an 802.11 access point, and sometimes a parallel port so it can be a print server. This gives wireless users the same ability as wired users to send and receive packets over multiple networks. 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11b/a combo WLAN routers are now available from several vendors such as Netgear, D-Link and Actiontec. 802.11g routers are also starting to come on the market.
Wireless routers with Internet connection sharing, networking and firewall features are an alternative to Wired routers or Networking Software. Wireless routers are actually wired routers with wireless access points built in so you can have wired and/or wireless at the same time.
Another choice is a wireless router with a built-in DSL or cable modem, see the bottom of this page for examples. Finally, you can consider a hardware/software security combo box to connect and protect your home network, see our Broadband Gateways page for more information.
Wireless routers are not as secure as hard wired. If you want wireless and security, read the security articles on this page and be prepared to spend some time setting up the security features of your wireless network.
We recommend that you test the firewall features of a hardware router after installation with a service like the Security Space desktop audit.