routers

The buzz around 5G has been overwhelming, with massive promotion and construction efforts. However, the reality is that high package costs and conflicts between urban planning and 5G base station construction have slowed progress.

So, how can you experience ultra-fast, super-fast, and lightning-fast internet surfing? The answer is WiFi! Since the onset of the pandemic, online work and learning have become the norm, and sometimes even a combination of both. Despite having sufficient bandwidth at home, why does it still feel sluggish?

This article will guide you on how to choose and place your router.

Router Classification:

① What is a Router?
Routers are devices that connect and forward data packets between networks. They assign local IP addresses to each device on the network, much like how a package needs a detailed address to be delivered accurately.

② Wired vs. Wireless Routers
Wired routers have LAN cable ports only, while wireless routers include antennas and wireless adapters to allow devices to connect without cables. Nowadays, wireless routers are the most common.

③ Core Routers vs. Edge Routers
Core routers are used by large enterprises to manage large volumes of data within a network. They operate at the network’s core and do not connect to external networks. Edge routers, on the other hand, communicate with both core routers and external networks, using protocols like BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) to send and receive data.

④ Virtual Routers
Virtual routers are software programs that use the Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) to establish primary and backup virtual routers, ensuring network continuity in case of a primary router failure.

For this article, we will focus on common home routers, both wired and wireless.

WiFi:

What is WiFi?

WiFi is a technology that allows electronic devices to connect to a wireless local area network (WLAN), typically using 2.4G UHF and 5G SHF ISM radio bands. WiFi networks are usually password-protected but can also be open, allowing any device within range to connect. WiFi is a brand name for wireless networking technology, held by the WiFi Alliance.

WiFi 6:

WiFi 6, approved by the IEEE in September 2019, is now a major selling point for router manufacturers. It uses technologies like OFDMA and MU-MIMO to enhance performance. MU-MIMO (Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output) allows routers to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously, increasing efficiency and network capacity. WiFi 6 can communicate with up to 8 devices at once and offers a maximum speed of 9.6Gbps.

IEEE

①: An international association of electrical and information technology engineers. Think of it as π and its corresponding value.

② MU-MIMO: In the 802.11ac standard, routers could only communicate with one client at a time. MU-MIMO allows routers to communicate with multiple devices simultaneously.

MU-MIMO

③ MIMO: Multi Input Multi Output. Multiple antennas create multiple paths for data transmission. More antennas mean better performance, but the receiving devices must also support MIMO.

④ OFDMA: WiFi 5 used OFDM, which required the entire wireless channel for data transmission. WiFi 6 uses OFDMA, allowing routers to communicate with multiple devices in a single transmission window.

⑤ Frequency Bands: WiFi 6 extends the WiFi band from 80 MHz to 160 MHz, doubling the channel width and reducing interference in environments with many smart devices.

⑥ OBSS: A WiFi 6 feature that improves network congestion by providing detailed information about incoming signals, reducing the need for devices to search for signals.

⑦ TWT: Target Wake Time technology allows devices to negotiate wake and sleep times, reducing unnecessary network competition and extending battery life for IoT devices.

Router Specifications:

Routers operate at the network layer, primarily used to build large networks and interconnect them. They generate and dynamically maintain routing tables, determine the best data forwarding routes, and forward data.

Common Router Ports:

• WAN Port: Where the home internet cable connects.
• LAN Ports: Used to connect devices with cables.
• RESET Button: Resets the router to factory settings.
• Power Port: Powers the router.

Router CPU

Router CPU:

• Broadcom: Excellent but prone to overheating (e.g., ASUS routers).
• Qualcomm: Excellent.
• MediaTek.
• Realtek (R螃蟹).
• HiSilicon (Huawei).
• Intel, Marvell.

Speed Ratings:

• 1200M, 9000M: These numbers represent speed. 2.4GHz single antenna speed is 150Mbps, and 5GHz is 433Mbps. For example, 1200M = 2×150Mbps + 2×433Mbps ≈ 1200Mbps. Theoretically, higher is better.

Antenna Gain:

• Antennas concentrate wireless signals but do not amplify them. Higher gain antennas transmit signals farther but with a narrower coverage area.

Router Memory:

• RAM and Storage: Affects how many third-party applications you can install, similar to a smartphone.

Router Firmware:

• The operating system of the router. Benefits include network aggregation, using USB drives as NAS, and adjusting transmission power by changing regions.

QoS:

• Quality of Service measures include bandwidth, latency, jitter, and error rate. You can prioritize applications like gaming, video streaming, file transfers, and web browsing.

Network Protocols:

• BGP: Border Gateway Protocol broadcasts IP addresses controlled by networks.
• EIGRP: Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol identifies distances between routers.
• OSPF: Open Shortest Path First calculates the most efficient network routes based on distance and bandwidth.
• RIP: Routing Information Protocol is an older protocol that identifies distances between routers.

Selection Tips:

• Port Speed: Ensure the router has Gigabit Ethernet ports to maximize your internet speed.
• Antenna Gain: More antennas are better in theory, but higher gain antennas provide longer range with narrower coverage.
• Cable Quality: High-quality cables (e.g., Cat5e, Cat6, Cat6a, Cat7, Cat8) are essential for optimal performance.
• Theoretical vs. Actual Speeds: WiFi speeds rarely reach theoretical maximums due to factors like reflection, diffraction, scattering, and penetration.

Placement Tips:

• Central Location: Place the router in the center of your home for better coverage.
• Avoid Obstacles: Keep it away from walls and metal objects.
• Vertical Antennas: Position antennas vertically for optimal signal strength.

Connection Methods:

• Dual-Band Routers: Use 2.4GHz for smart devices and 5GHz for high-bandwidth devices like phones and laptops.
• Bridging: Connect multiple routers wirelessly without cables.
• Cable Connection: Connect multiple routers with cables, with one acting as the main router and others as secondary.
• Parent-Child Routers: Combines wired and wireless connections for easy setup and good signal extension.
• AP/AC Expansion: Use Access Points (AP) and Controllers (AC) for centralized WiFi management, providing a unified signal but at a higher cost.