How to Buy a Wireless DSL Router

Wireless DSL Internet is an emerging technology. Most households in the United States prefer wireless DSL (or any form of wireless Internet connection) because of the mobility and convenience it offers. Apart from other devices, you need a wireless DSL router to use a wireless DSL connection. Wireless DSL routers incorporate several features depending on the requirement. Here’s how you can buy a compatible wireless DSL router for your wireless DSL connection.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Antenna
• Hub/switch
• Network adapter
• Cables
• Wireless LAN card
• DSL Router

1. Find the number of hosts to be connected to the wireless network. This is the number of LAN ports you need to look for in the wireless DSL router. Most wireless DSL routers have four ports allowing four wired hosts, including laptops, desktops, peripherals and handhelds. Use a switch to connect more wired devices. Note that if your computers are equipped with wireless LAN cards, they are not required to be connected to the wireless DSL router through cables. In this case, the wireless DSL router’s antenna is used to transmit wireless signals to the wireless LAN card of each computer.

2. Determine the wireless standard used in the network to look for a router that matches the required data transfer speed. The 802.11a and 802.11g wireless networking standards (also known as Wi-Fi) specify 54 Mbps as the maximum data transfer rate. Newer versions of 802.11g even specify rates of more than 125 Mbps. In contrast, 802.11n, the draft of new wireless networking standard, specifies data transfer at speed of 540 Mbps. Actual data transfer speed depends on the standard the computer’s wireless network card and the router follow. To achieve maximum speed, both should be compatible with the same wireless networking standard.

3. Ensure data security in the wireless network by purchasing a Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) compatible router. Security is of prime concern in wireless networks. WEP, data encryption protocol for wireless networks aims at securing data transmitted over radio signals. Wireless data security ensuring protocols more advanced than WEP are Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and WPA2 with WPA2 offering the maximum level of security in wireless networks.

4. Evaluate if you want a wireless DSL router with an external or internal antenna. An external antenna gives better signal transmission, but may be cumbersome to carry around if the user is frequently mobile. Some wireless routers with internal antennae have provision for an external antenna attachment to enhance signal reception.

5. Assess other features of the wireless DSL router to be purchased. Aside from connecting networks and enabling Internet connection sharing, routers can perform several other functions. Routers typically determine the shortest path of a data packet to its destination. Some routers additionally function as hubs or switches, provide additional firewalls and support port forwarding ability required to host a web server. Knowing all the functions the wireless router should accomplish helps identify the best suited model. Remember that routers with more features also cost more.

6. Check the interface of the wireless router with your computers. In case of a single computer, you can connect the wireless router with an Ethernet cable, a USB cable or simply through the antenna. In case of Ethernet cable, your computer should be equipped with a LAN card with an Ethernet port. In case of USB router, you simply need a USB port on your computer. If your computer has a wireless LAN card, you do not need any cables to connect—the antenna of the wireless broadband router would communicate directly with your wireless LAN card. If connecting the router to a switch or a hub, the switch must either have an Ethernet port (all switches have this port) or a wireless antenna.

7. Research the market for the variety of wireless DSL routers available, their features, top selling routers, and customer feedback. Identify the router suitable for your requirements. Learn more about the features and prices of various models by referring to online buyers’ guides. Browse through reviews and compare pricing. Some popular buyers’ guides are NexTag, Windows Marketplace, MySimon and Epinions (see links below).

8. Call your ISP after identifying a suitable wireless DSL router. Check with the service provider if they sell the required router. Sometimes, ISPs lease routers for extra monthly charge. Leasing may be a better option for those in a new business and requiring multi-feature high-end routers.

9. Alternatively, buy the wireless DSL router from online vendors, a list of which will be available in the above-mentioned buyers’ guides. Browse through popular online stores such as CompUSA, Best Buy and Circuit City (see links below).

Tips & Warnings

• Some vendors offer a combo pack of a wireless DSL router and network adapter, both following the same standard. In addition to availability of compatible equipment, the combo pack is offered at rates more economical than individual prices of a router and network card.
• Data security is compromised if the wireless DSL router and network adapter (for LANs) follow different protocols. To achieve the highest levels of security, ensure that the wireless network card and router follow the same wireless data security protocols.
• Deals offering lowest prices and huge discounts may not necessarily be available on the latest models. Check before buying.