Routers and Modems

Routers

A router with just one frequency band (2.4 GHz) is known as a single-band router. Quite a few of these routers are on the cheap. They work best with DSL or fixed wireless networks because of their greater range and the fact that they can handle internet speeds of up to 500 Mbps. With a 1 GB or faster internet connection, you might want to think about getting a router with two or three bands. 

2.4 GHz and 5 GHz are the frequencies used by wireless routers that are classified as dual-band. In comparison to single-band routers, dual-band models can handle more Wi-Fi devices and provide better internet connections. The dual-band router is compatible with both cable and 5G internet. Even if you go farther away from the router, you might not get better Wi-Fi because 5GHz bands have a lesser range. 

A tri-band router is one that uses three frequencies, each of which is 5 GHz. Because there are more frequency channels, there is less interference among Wi-Fi devices, making it ideal for big houses with lots of devices. Tri-band routers tend to cost a bit more. 

This state-of-the-art wireless router, known as a Wi-Fi 6, has additional security protections and solutions for managing traffic built right in. A range of more than 100 feet and internet rates of up to 10 GB (10,000 Mbps) are both supported. Nevertheless, similar to any router, the router’s performance might be adversely affected by physical impediments such as walls and doors. In addition, the enhancements will only be seen on devices that are compatible with Wi-Fi 6. Also, you may get your hands on Wi-Fi 7, the router of the future.  

A gateway or combination router combines the functions of a modem and router into a single device. Considering you’re getting two devices instead of one, the higher price of a gateway might actually be a good deal. Since a gateway only requires the connection of one device, it is also simpler to set up. 

Wireless network router with a mesh layout: Any router—single, dual, tri-band, or Wi-Fi 6—could be part of a mesh network that uses supplementary devices to increase the range of your Wi-Fi signal. The greatest mesh routers are ideal for bigger houses or for expanding Wi-Fi range to remote locations like a shed or garage. 

The amount of antennas on a router has nothing to do with the number of frequencies, but pointing them in different directions might increase the Wi-Fi signal’s coverage area. A router’s speed and range are unrelated to the number of antennas; in fact, the number of antennae on a single-, dual-, or tri-band router might range from one to eight. Find out how fast your internet can get and how far your Wi-Fi can go by checking your router’s specs.

Modems

Dial-up modems: These were crucial in the early Internet, when users were connected via phone lines. Although innovative at the time, their peak speeds rarely exceeded 56 Kbps and hogged phone lines.

Digital Subscription Line (DSL) technology offers high-speed internet access over telephone lines with DSL modems. Modern ADSL and VDSL connections are faster than dial-up.

Cable modems, which use coaxial lines like cable TV, are best for rapid web browsing. They are a popular broadband internet option since they are faster than DSL and dial-up.

A fibre optic modem transfers data using light signals delivered via thin plastic or glass strands. This cutting-edge technology provides lightning-fast internet connections, far faster than cable or DSL.