Lately, gaining access to wi-fi broadband is an absolute necessity for house places of work and small companies. And after greater than a decade of improvements, you'll assume that the usual wi-fi gateway/router could be a picture-perfect product by now. Best Netgear Routers
Whereas many routers supply good options, most nonetheless include flaws that may make life lots more durable, similar to confounding setups or restricted safety.
What follows are six router issues that, fairly frankly, I discover probably the most annoying. I appeared for attainable options, and whereas I did not discover one router that addressed all my considerations, I did uncover options -- and routers -- that would make issues lots simpler.
1. Troublesome configuration
The issue: How lengthy does it normally take you to arrange your router? When was the final time you had been capable of get it proper on the primary strive? What about whenever you needed so as to add a brand new PC to your wi-fi community? And the way about getting your wi-fi printer to connect with your community?
Let's face it: Every community is totally different, and getting the correct mixture of settings will be confounding. For instance, even some fairly skilled PC arms could not perceive the variations between safety settings or know that WPA-2 provides higher safety than WEP and extraordinary WPA.
These and different hitches are why establishing any router can nonetheless be vexing, even to an skilled laptop consumer. Some, such because the Buffalo AirStation Wi-fi-N 300Mbps Cable Router WHR-HP-G300N ($53), have crowded menus with a number of layers that make navigation painful. Others, such because the Netgear RangeMax Twin Band Wi-fi-N Gigabit Router WNDR3700 ($170), depend on a protected setup that has a protracted collection of directions that must be adopted to get a brand new PC in your community. Read more
Potential options: Numerous distributors have tried to make issues less complicated with easy-setup CDs or one-click connection buttons, however they cannot cowl each attainable circumstance. Buffalo's and Netgear's setup directions go the additional mile by explicitly detailing the order during which it's essential to you plug every part in earlier than you run the CD. (Cable modems specifically must be powered on earlier than you join your router to them.) That is a pleasant contact -- but it surely assumes you have learn the printed directions that got here with the router. When was the final time you learn the guide earlier than you plugged in your new system?
Virtually all routers have Net-based configuration screens, and so long as you keep in mind the system's IP handle, default username and password (which it's best to have modified whenever you set it up), it's best to be capable to get into the setup screens and make any changes you want. It is only a matter of determining which changes are vital.
The Cisco Valet M10($100), a part of Cisco's just lately launched Valet line, comes with a USB key that has the configuration software program on it. When you arrange one PC in your community, you utilize the important thing to run the configuration on every other PCs or Macs (the important thing additionally contains Mac software program) with out having to write down down the wi-fi encryption key or different info.
Cisco has additionally made it lots simpler to arrange different units, similar to wi-fi printers, by offering a abstract display with all of the related details about your wi-fi community that you could print out for simple reference whenever you run the setup program on the USB key.
Buffalo has a pleasant diagnostic routine that checks to see when you've got Web connectivity and that your router is configured correctly. You run it from the Net configuration console.
Apple's AirPort Specific ($99) is straightforward to arrange and has some neat options, together with the power to share USB printers and to share audio throughout the community to a linked stereo receiver. You can too prolong the vary of your present AirPort base station, which is one thing that the majority Wi-Fi routers cannot simply do. However if you happen to've bought a Home windows PC, you have to set up Bonjour, and including a brand new PC to an present community is not as straightforward because it might be.
2. Enabling file sharing out of your router
The issue: Why spend cash on a separate network-attached storage (NAS) unit when you need to use your router for sharing information? Many routers include USB ports to which you'll be able to join an exterior USB drive for easy backup or file sharing.
Sadly, though plugging in an exterior drive must be as straightforward as -- properly, as simply plugging within the drive -- getting that drive arrange is not all the time easy. The Linksys WRT610N Wi-fi-N Router ($200), for instance, has a fancy setup display that it's essential to fill out whenever you connect a USB drive to it.
It will be good to have software program that permits the sharing with out a whole lot of setup hassles. It must be straightforward to attach the computer systems throughout your community to this shared storage, through the use of both the router's SSID identify or IP handle. You additionally want to have the ability to password-protect your shared drive so that it is not open for anybody who's linked to the community.
Potential options: Numerous routers embrace USB ports, similar to these from Linksys, Belkin and Netgear.
Related links
https://www.netgear.com/home/products/networking/wifi-routers/
https://www.lifewire.com/best-netgear-routers-4159862
It is all a matter of what software program is used to configure the USB drive and whether or not you want anything on the Home windows or Mac consumer finish to connect with the shared drive.
Finest obtainable routers: The Belkin N+ Wi-fi Router ($120) has a separate software program configuration utility that works for each Home windows and Mac methods and must be run solely as soon as to arrange the exterior shared drive. After that, you'll be able to connect with the shared drive by coming into its IP handle, similar to \\192.168.1.1\sharename. The product is not good, although: There isn't any approach to password-protect the information on the shared drive.
The Netgear RangeMax would not require any extra software program and might password-protect the information. It additionally provides all kinds of entry strategies, together with FTP and Net sharing, from its setup display.
three. Performing firmware updates
The issue: Router firmware is a crucial first line of safety protection in your community and must be saved updated. However discovering firmware updates on a vendor's Site will not be for everybody, and lots of distributors do not make it straightforward.
It's a must to carry up your browser, go to the seller's assist web site and attempt to monitor down the present model to your explicit router mannequin. You then must obtain the file to your PC and add it to your router in the correct place within the router's Net management panel display.
To complicate issues, distributors usually have a number of totally different variations for every router mannequin, as a result of they make frequent enhancements to the router, usually altering chip units however retaining the model quantity the identical.
Potential options: Make the replace automated or at the least simply selectable, so you do not have to undergo the tortured technique of downloading and importing the file.
Verify the firmware replace part in every router's Net setup screens to see if the router can routinely improve itself.
Finest obtainable routers: Belkin's N+ Wi-fi and Netgear's RangeMax each have a menu-selectable software program swap to allow the updates. As soon as that is set, you'll be able to neglect about it and be assured that you'll all the time have the most recent firmware.
four. Enabling short-term wi-fi entry
The issue: If in case you have guests or needy neighbors, do you really need them to have everlasting entry to your complete community? Even if you happen to belief them in your community, have you learnt how good their very own safety is? (For instance, will your neighbor's pocket book find yourself within the arms of his teenager?) In case you merely give a customer your router password, you then in all probability want to alter this info when he leaves your own home or workplace -- which is an actual ache.
Potential options: A good suggestion could be to grant them short-term visitor entry that offers them simply an Web connection and nothing else in your community, similar to shared drives or printers.
Distributors have begun to allow this on their routers in quite a lot of methods. Belkin, for instance, has an possibility it calls "Lodge-style," that means that customers are directed to a Net touchdown web page the place they enter a particular visitor password. Different distributors make it straightforward to arrange separate wi-fi networks only for company. (In case you use Apple's AirPort Specific, however, you are out of luck -- there's no visitor entry.)
Finest obtainable routers: The USB key that you could create with Cisco's Valet may help right here as properly. It is advisable to run an automatic setup routine from the USB key (somewhat than from the Net UI) on every of your visitor computer systems. When you do, it can arrange a separate wi-fi community with a special identify and password that solely permits Web entry.
Related topics:
Best Wireless Router for Under 100 USD
Best Wireless Router Under 50 USD
Best Wireless Earbuds
Best Wireless Doorbell
Best Rangefinder
Best Modeling Amps
Best DD-WRT Router
Best Wireless Travel Routers
Whereas many routers supply good options, most nonetheless include flaws that may make life lots more durable, similar to confounding setups or restricted safety.
What follows are six router issues that, fairly frankly, I discover probably the most annoying. I appeared for attainable options, and whereas I did not discover one router that addressed all my considerations, I did uncover options -- and routers -- that would make issues lots simpler.
1. Troublesome configuration
The issue: How lengthy does it normally take you to arrange your router? When was the final time you had been capable of get it proper on the primary strive? What about whenever you needed so as to add a brand new PC to your wi-fi community? And the way about getting your wi-fi printer to connect with your community?
Let's face it: Every community is totally different, and getting the correct mixture of settings will be confounding. For instance, even some fairly skilled PC arms could not perceive the variations between safety settings or know that WPA-2 provides higher safety than WEP and extraordinary WPA.
These and different hitches are why establishing any router can nonetheless be vexing, even to an skilled laptop consumer. Some, such because the Buffalo AirStation Wi-fi-N 300Mbps Cable Router WHR-HP-G300N ($53), have crowded menus with a number of layers that make navigation painful. Others, such because the Netgear RangeMax Twin Band Wi-fi-N Gigabit Router WNDR3700 ($170), depend on a protected setup that has a protracted collection of directions that must be adopted to get a brand new PC in your community. Read more
Potential options: Numerous distributors have tried to make issues less complicated with easy-setup CDs or one-click connection buttons, however they cannot cowl each attainable circumstance. Buffalo's and Netgear's setup directions go the additional mile by explicitly detailing the order during which it's essential to you plug every part in earlier than you run the CD. (Cable modems specifically must be powered on earlier than you join your router to them.) That is a pleasant contact -- but it surely assumes you have learn the printed directions that got here with the router. When was the final time you learn the guide earlier than you plugged in your new system?
Virtually all routers have Net-based configuration screens, and so long as you keep in mind the system's IP handle, default username and password (which it's best to have modified whenever you set it up), it's best to be capable to get into the setup screens and make any changes you want. It is only a matter of determining which changes are vital.
The Cisco Valet M10($100), a part of Cisco's just lately launched Valet line, comes with a USB key that has the configuration software program on it. When you arrange one PC in your community, you utilize the important thing to run the configuration on every other PCs or Macs (the important thing additionally contains Mac software program) with out having to write down down the wi-fi encryption key or different info.
Cisco has additionally made it lots simpler to arrange different units, similar to wi-fi printers, by offering a abstract display with all of the related details about your wi-fi community that you could print out for simple reference whenever you run the setup program on the USB key.
Buffalo has a pleasant diagnostic routine that checks to see when you've got Web connectivity and that your router is configured correctly. You run it from the Net configuration console.
Apple's AirPort Specific ($99) is straightforward to arrange and has some neat options, together with the power to share USB printers and to share audio throughout the community to a linked stereo receiver. You can too prolong the vary of your present AirPort base station, which is one thing that the majority Wi-Fi routers cannot simply do. However if you happen to've bought a Home windows PC, you have to set up Bonjour, and including a brand new PC to an present community is not as straightforward because it might be.
2. Enabling file sharing out of your router
The issue: Why spend cash on a separate network-attached storage (NAS) unit when you need to use your router for sharing information? Many routers include USB ports to which you'll be able to join an exterior USB drive for easy backup or file sharing.
Sadly, though plugging in an exterior drive must be as straightforward as -- properly, as simply plugging within the drive -- getting that drive arrange is not all the time easy. The Linksys WRT610N Wi-fi-N Router ($200), for instance, has a fancy setup display that it's essential to fill out whenever you connect a USB drive to it.
It will be good to have software program that permits the sharing with out a whole lot of setup hassles. It must be straightforward to attach the computer systems throughout your community to this shared storage, through the use of both the router's SSID identify or IP handle. You additionally want to have the ability to password-protect your shared drive so that it is not open for anybody who's linked to the community.
Potential options: Numerous routers embrace USB ports, similar to these from Linksys, Belkin and Netgear.
Related links
https://www.netgear.com/home/products/networking/wifi-routers/
https://www.lifewire.com/best-netgear-routers-4159862
It is all a matter of what software program is used to configure the USB drive and whether or not you want anything on the Home windows or Mac consumer finish to connect with the shared drive.
Finest obtainable routers: The Belkin N+ Wi-fi Router ($120) has a separate software program configuration utility that works for each Home windows and Mac methods and must be run solely as soon as to arrange the exterior shared drive. After that, you'll be able to connect with the shared drive by coming into its IP handle, similar to \\192.168.1.1\sharename. The product is not good, although: There isn't any approach to password-protect the information on the shared drive.
The Netgear RangeMax would not require any extra software program and might password-protect the information. It additionally provides all kinds of entry strategies, together with FTP and Net sharing, from its setup display.
three. Performing firmware updates
The issue: Router firmware is a crucial first line of safety protection in your community and must be saved updated. However discovering firmware updates on a vendor's Site will not be for everybody, and lots of distributors do not make it straightforward.
It's a must to carry up your browser, go to the seller's assist web site and attempt to monitor down the present model to your explicit router mannequin. You then must obtain the file to your PC and add it to your router in the correct place within the router's Net management panel display.
To complicate issues, distributors usually have a number of totally different variations for every router mannequin, as a result of they make frequent enhancements to the router, usually altering chip units however retaining the model quantity the identical.
Potential options: Make the replace automated or at the least simply selectable, so you do not have to undergo the tortured technique of downloading and importing the file.
Verify the firmware replace part in every router's Net setup screens to see if the router can routinely improve itself.
Finest obtainable routers: Belkin's N+ Wi-fi and Netgear's RangeMax each have a menu-selectable software program swap to allow the updates. As soon as that is set, you'll be able to neglect about it and be assured that you'll all the time have the most recent firmware.
four. Enabling short-term wi-fi entry
The issue: If in case you have guests or needy neighbors, do you really need them to have everlasting entry to your complete community? Even if you happen to belief them in your community, have you learnt how good their very own safety is? (For instance, will your neighbor's pocket book find yourself within the arms of his teenager?) In case you merely give a customer your router password, you then in all probability want to alter this info when he leaves your own home or workplace -- which is an actual ache.
Potential options: A good suggestion could be to grant them short-term visitor entry that offers them simply an Web connection and nothing else in your community, similar to shared drives or printers.
Distributors have begun to allow this on their routers in quite a lot of methods. Belkin, for instance, has an possibility it calls "Lodge-style," that means that customers are directed to a Net touchdown web page the place they enter a particular visitor password. Different distributors make it straightforward to arrange separate wi-fi networks only for company. (In case you use Apple's AirPort Specific, however, you are out of luck -- there's no visitor entry.)
Finest obtainable routers: The USB key that you could create with Cisco's Valet may help right here as properly. It is advisable to run an automatic setup routine from the USB key (somewhat than from the Net UI) on every of your visitor computer systems. When you do, it can arrange a separate wi-fi community with a special identify and password that solely permits Web entry.
Related topics:
Best Wireless Router for Under 100 USD
Best Wireless Router Under 50 USD
Best Wireless Earbuds
Best Wireless Doorbell
Best Rangefinder
Best Modeling Amps
Best DD-WRT Router
Best Wireless Travel Routers
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