What is the difference between a router and a router and which device is better to choose?

What is the difference between a router and a router? Most uninformed users will not immediately answer this question. Within the framework of this article, an exhaustive answer will be given to it, as well as recommendations will be given on the selection and configuration of such devices.

What is the difference?

Often, for poorly informed users, the question arises: “What is the best router or router?” The most interesting thing is that behind these words is the same network device that connects personal computers to the local computer network . The only difference is that the word “router” is English, which came into our language, and “router” is domestic. The functions performed by them are identical. Both of them are equipped with one input jack for connecting a twisted pair connector from the provider and at least 4 ports (there may be more) for connecting devices on your local network. Also, without fail, they are equipped with a special wireless Wi-Fi transmitter. Unlike a hub or switch, a router, like a router, is a more intelligent device. It stores a table of addresses of connected computers. When an external message arrives, the recipient address is checked. If he is in his table, then the data is immediately transmitted to the addressee. Otherwise, the information is deleted as unnecessary. Such an intelligent approach allows you to significantly relieve the local network and more efficiently use its resources. So the question: “What is the difference between a router and a router?” Can be answered as follows: “Nothing! These are synonymous words. ”

The choice

Conventionally, routers, depending on the version, are divided into industrial and domestic. In the first case, this is a specialized device. They are most often used to organize corporate networks, and the network administrator, who is a technically trained specialist , is responsible for making the right choice. But with household routers, everything is much more complicated. They are bought by ordinary users who are not well-trained and knowledgeable specialists in this field. Therefore, they can be given the following recommendations:

1. First of all, pay attention to the manufacturer. The routers of the D-Link, Asus and Zyxel brands are considered the best.
2. We pay attention to the maximum data transfer rate over a wireless network. In most cases, this is 150 Mbps. But there are devices that can transmit 300 Mbps. The bigger, the better.
3. Do not forget to check the equipment. Be sure to have available, in addition to the router, a power supply, a user manual in Russian, a meter twisted-pair cord for connection and initial setup, and a driver disk.
4. Then we look at the modes of operation of the wireless network. There are only two options: "abg" and "bgn". If your smartphone is equipped with a “a” standard transmitter, then it will not work in the last type of router. In general, everything should be coordinated and work in the same mode. Otherwise, connection problems may occur.

Some stores, in order to confuse a poorly informed customer more, tend to name network devices differently on price tags. At the same time, those that come with a foreign word are more expensive. If you ask the seller in such a store: “What is the difference between a router and a router, and why is the first one more expensive?”, In most cases a sensible answer cannot be obtained. Therefore, such retail outlets are best avoided. The quality of the products in them is usually in doubt.

Settings

As mentioned earlier, the difference between a router and a router consists only in the origin of the words. From a technical point of view, these devices are identical, and the setup procedure for them is no different. It consists of the following steps:

1. Connecting the power supply, input wire from the provider and a meter twisted pair cable to a computer or laptop.
2. Turning on the computer and the router. Be sure to wait until the download of each of them.
3. We launch the browser and enter the network address: “192.168.1.1” (in some cases, the last two numbers can be “0.1” - see the instruction manual).
4. We set the network name, password for access to it and the encryption method (it is best to choose WPA2 - the maximum level of security).
5. We reboot the router, everything is ready.

Summary

In this article, we not only examined the difference between a router and a router, but also gave practical advice on choosing and configuring them. Following the previously stated recommendations, you can purchase exactly the network device that is ideal for each particular case. We also indicated the order of their connection and settings. There is nothing complicated in this, anyone, including a novice user, can cope with a similar task.