Buy the right wireless network components

Here's what you need to know about wireless networking, from the standards and technologies to the best products for your home or office.

Figuring out what gear you'll need to build your network can be a challenge. We'll help you put together the pieces of the puzzle.

Networking components: Routers | Access points | Adapters | Switches and hubs

Routers

Routers act as the gateway between your broadband connection (DSL or cable modem) and your home network. Wireless routers come in various configurations, but most are amalgamations of a four-port wired Ethernet switch and a wireless access point. As the name implies, these devices route traffic between your network and the Internet. Most include built-in DHCP servers that automatically assign the right IP address information to each computer on your local-area network, or LAN. A separate WAN, or wide-area network, interface on the router connects your entire home or office network to your broadband modem, allowing you to share your Internet connection through the router. Most routers also have firewall capabilities, and some include more advanced security features. Some routers even have an integrated cable or DSL modem, eliminating your need for two separate devices.

Access points

Wireless access points let you add wireless networking capability to a standalone wired router. You can also use them to extend the range of your current wireless network. There are as many types of access points as there are networking standards, up to and including 802.11n. Wireless access points do not offer the rich feature set and the high configurability of most routers because they are designed to add a wireless extension to your network and not to play the role of a central gateway. (Keep in mind that many wireless broadband routers incorporate an access point already.) Nevertheless, access points do typically include some security features, such as encryption. If you're looking into an access point to add wireless networking to a wired-only router, be sure to confirm that the cost of the access point is less than that of a brand-new router with wireless capability built in.

Adapters

An adapter connects your computer or your PDA to a network. If your computer doesn't already have the adapter that you need built in, you can add one. As with access points, there are as many types of adapters as there are networking standards--draft 802.11n, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, dual band, and Bluetooth--and each type comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, including PC Cards, PCI and mini-PCI, USB, CompactFlash, and SD. Some wireless adapters are decked out with special features, such as retractable or removable antennae, encryption support, or connection-monitoring software. Before making your purchase, always confirm that the adapter is compatible with your operating system. If you plan to use an adapter at work, you should also check to ensure that it is compatible with any encryption schemes in use, such as LEAP or WPA.

Switches and hubs

Ethernet is the glue that holds together most networks. It's fast and cheap, and it is integrated into just about everything. If you need to expand your network, an Ethernet hub or switch can come in very handy since most desktops and notebooks include a built-in Ethernet adapter. Accordingly, most wireless broadband routers come with a three- or four-port Ethernet switch built in, allowing you to connect to the router via a fast, wired Ethernet connection. Switches and hubs perform similar functions, but switches can handle multiple simultaneous users without any significant decrease in network throughput.

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