How to choose a router for the office?

The router should allow high-speed connection to Internet and meet the standards of security. There are other guidelines that you absolutely need to pay attention to, wanting to ensure proper bandwidth and meet equipment standards. What to follow when choosing router To the company?

The WIFI router provides wired and wireless Internet connections for devices such as computers, smartphones, televisions, household appliances and more.

How does the router work?

A router is a device that transmits packets between different computer networks. A network access link and local network devices are connected to the router. Using a wired or wireless connection, they gain access to the Internet.

In addition, the router can increase the level of security of Internet use and share printers and disks on the home network. The sockets on the router that computers on the local network are plugged into are called LAN interfaces. The wireless network in a router is called LAN or WIFI.

Router for the office: what to pay attention to?

Depending on who you buy the router from, i.e. whether from a neighborhood provider or cable TV, it should be xDSL. If you are buying from a cellular provider, it should ideally be a 3G or 4G LTE router. The most efficient option is the ADSL2+ standard.

1. WIFI network standard. It is crucial that the company’s router supports the WIFI standard, namely IEEE 802.11n. It indicates the 2.4 GHz band. Besides, the router should be able to transmit simultaneously on the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This will give you better coverage and network bandwidth at different locations in the office.

1. Matching the router to the building volume. In a small company, a 2.4 GHz router will work, but in a larger one, more extensive systems with multiple access points and switches and a firewall are needed. Therefore, higher frequencies may be needed.
2. Wired router. Definitely this type of router will work better in enterprises, offices and other formal organizations. Data transfer is carried out over LAN cables, which reach other network nodes (such as switches) and each workstation. The number of ports is worth planning in excess with a view to expanding the organization. Fiber optic connectors can be used.
3. Security router and data privacy. It is crucial to take care of maximum speed and data encryption. The current encryption standard is WPA2 using AES (WEP is breakable even for a layman). Besides, it is also worth taking care of additional capabilities of the router in terms of security:
   a. built-in firewall,
   b. option to create a VPN (IP address is not visible),
   c. packet filtering.
4. Data transfer. High-speed data access is a key part of work in any organization. LAN ports, especially on internal networks that are used for NAS server connections, should offer the Gigabit (1000Mbps) standard. The input port (WAN), on the other hand, should provide a higher standard than the Internet speed offered by the provider.
5. Additional router features. A stable router for business should have built-in USB ports with host function, as well as the ability to connect a 3G/HSPA modem. In the situation of frequent downloads from P2P networks, the port forwarding function and Wireless Multimedia will also be beneficial, so you will gain smooth multimedia playback.

Network security at ITH.EU

ITH. EU is a provider of telecommunications services for startups, large and small enterprises and all kinds of public institutions. Our offerings include network protection, VOIP, fiber Internet, as well as hosting, cloud computing and telephony. We encourage you to use the services of our specialists.