Content

• Steps
• Advice
• Warning

This wikiHow teaches you how to research and decide on the model and type of the wireless router.

Steps

1. 

   Determine the maximum speed of the Internet you are using. Just contact your Internet service provider or look in your account information. The Internet speed is usually measured in megabits per second (Mbps), which determines the minimum speed of the router.
   • For example, if the Internet's maximum speed is 100 Mbps, you'll need a router that can handle at least 100 Mbps.

2. 

   
   
   Find out local Internet service providers. There will be other, better options, and your current carrier can specify the type of router for you.
   • Some providers have an option to rent or purchase a compatible router / modem combination for the service they offer. Renting will be more expensive if you use it for a long time, but will be a good choice for those who cannot afford to replace or upgrade an expensive router every few years.

3. 

   
   
   Determine if you have a modem. If you don't have anything on hand, you'll need to buy both a modem and a router. The modem interacts with the Internet access point (through a physical cable, for example), and the router plugs into the modem to broadcast the Wi-Fi signal.
   • If you already have your modem from another carrier, check with your current carrier to make sure the modem will work with their service.
   • You can buy router combination modems for a lower price, but these products are often quite expensive to repair or replace.

4. 

   
   
   Set a specific budget. It's easy to spend more money than necessary on routers and modulators. Knowing how much you're willing to spend (and what your budget is) will help keep some of the high-end routers off the list.
   • In general, you can spend around 4,600,000 VND on a high quality modem and router.
   • Note that your budget should also be a bit flexible, as an out-of-budget router can be worth the money thanks to its durability and performance.

5. 

   Determine how much space your router needs to handle. To do this, you need to locate the router (such as where the cable is connected), then walk from that point to each room or area where you need the router signal to cover.
   • Walls and floors will obstruct the wireless signal, meaning you need a router with a strong signal for an area with more floors or more rooms than small spaces (for example, apartments or classrooms).
   • For a multi-story home or large space, you need to purchase multiple routers and connect to the same network.

6. 

   Note down each device the router will support. Write down a list of devices that will connect to the router (e.g. phone, computer, game console, etc.) to determine the coverage area, since we need a high capacity router to support multiple devices. have different activities at the same time and vice versa.
   • Small, medium-powered routers can typically provide a standard group of computers with low bandwidth, while you'll need a powerful router to support high-bandwidth activities. and many other devices (eg printers).
   • Also consider how you will use the Internet, as if you browse the web normally and do light tasks it will be easier to handle than playing games or transferring files continuously (such as downloading upload or download data).

7. 

   You need to understand what router speed and range is about. It's hard to resist the fastest in affordability; however, your router can deliver a high maximum Internet speed (for example, 100 Mbps). Some other points to note are as follows:
   • Advertised speed - Rounding values ​​of all router bandwidth speeds. This is the number advertised in the product description. Since most devices cannot connect to more than one band at a time, this specification is intentionally misleading.
   • Ceiling speed - This value determines the highest speed at which the device can use the Internet. For example, a router with a speed of 800 Mbps will not help a device that only supports 400 Mbps to achieve a higher ceiling speed.
   • Router range Router maximum range indicates the distance from the router so you still get an available signal. With a large area, you need to choose a router with a strong signal or consider investing in a mesh Wi-Fi system that uses multiple routers located within the area.

8. 

   Limit the search range of the router in the "N" and "AC" categories. Every router has an "802.11" digital classification, which is the international Wi-Fi standard. However, one or two letters of the side linked in front of the model number will represent the router's version and maximum speed.
   • For best performance and compatibility, you should purchase a router with "AC" in front of the model number.
   • Categories A, B and G are considered obsolete.

9. 

   You need to make sure your router supports the WPA2 security protocol. There are different types of security protocols, but WPA2 is the most recent version of encryption, so it's the safest. All routers with the "AC" symbol support the WPA2 security protocol.
   • WEP and WPA should not be chosen, as these two protocols have been outdated since 2006.
   • If you can't find the WPA2 certificate on your router's feature or packaging page, contact the manufacturer or customer service department and ask for the encryption that your router supports.

10. 

    Learn about specific routers. After narrowing your search for specific models, dig deeper by reading user reviews, feedback, and usage reports. As such, we can have a clear picture of how the router works in the latter cases.
    • This is also a good time to call your local provider and inquire about which routers they might recommend.
    • When reading user reviews, pay attention to unsatisfied comments. These reviews tend to talk about router failures, especially if other users are complaining similarly.
    • Certain router models with dominant positive reviews and obviously purchased by the majority of users will be the option to consider.

11. 

    Chat with customer service. If you go to a store to buy a router, ask someone in the engineering department. They may disclose additional information (either personally or professionally) about the router's performance.
    • Specifically, you can ask them about the return rate of the product model you choose. The lower the ratio, the more worth buying the router is.
    • If you buy a new router from places like Amazon or eBay, consider looking to a physical store (such as Best Buy) that has a similar model available and having customer service answer your questions. router performance.
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Advice

• You can also ask the customer service representative about the encryption type if this is an important aspect of your business network.
• Although not necessary, pairing the router with a computer of the same brand (e.g. Samsung) can improve the connection.
• If possible, you should prioritize quality with higher cost over low quality, low price (unless user reviews contradict this). Consider spending about 7,000,000 VND on both the router and the modem to use for many years instead of spending less than half of the money on low quality products, unstable or new connection. one year has failed.

Warning

• Unless your budget or condition doesn't allow it, don't forget to choose the warranty for your router.