Learn About Network Routers

What is it?

It is the device that manages the network traffic. Usually, your ISP (internet service provider) provides a modem with built-in router with Wi-Fi. Routers can manage a wired or wireless connection. It is important to note that all connectivity speeds are theoretical and actual speeds depend on many factors. The following are the most used standards with their capabilities:

• Wi-Fi 4

  Also known as 802.11n, it supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
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  Wi-Fi 4 Speeds

  1 Stream = 150Mbps

  2 Stream = 300Mbps

  3 Stream = 450Mbps

  4 Stream = 600Mbps

  Ethernet 1Gbps

• Wi-Fi 5

  Also known as 802.11ac, it supports 5GHz only.
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  Wi-Fi 5 Speeds

  1 Stream = 433Mbps

  2 Stream = 866Mbps

  3 Stream = 1300Mbps

  4 Stream = 1733Mbps

  Ethernet 1Gbps

• Wi-Fi 6

  Also known as 802.11ax, it supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
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  Wi-Fi 6 Speeds

  1 Stream = 600Mbps

  2 Stream = 1200Mbps

  3 Stream = 1800Mbps

  4 Stream = 2400Mbps

  Ethernet 1Gbps

• Wi-Fi 6E

  Also known as 802.11ax, it supports the new 6GHz channels.
  Learn more

  
  

  Wi-Fi 6E Speeds

  1 Stream = 600Mbps

  2 Stream = 1200Mbps

  3 Stream = 1800Mbps

  4 Stream = 2400Mbps

  Ethernet 1Gbps

• Ethernet

  It is the main port for wired connectivity.
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  Ethernet Speeds

  10Mbps

  100Mbps

  1Gbps

  2.5Gbps

  5Gbps

  10Gbps

  Thunderbolt 1 = 10Gbps

How does it work?

Routers work by doing the following (over simplified) steps:

1. Receive data
2. Manage traffic
3. Send data

Look for

• Get wired

  Check if you can get a wired connection instead of wireless

  Wired is more reliable than wireless and less prone to interference.

• Ethernet Port Count

  Check how many Ethernet ports it has

• Wi-Fi Streams

  Check how many Wi-Fi streams does it support

  Most Wi-Fi is 2 streams. However, some are 3 or 4. Let's say you have a router with 3 stream Wi-Fi. It is better to get a computer with 3 stream Wi-Fi instead of 2, so that you take full advantage of your routers bandwidth.

• Use 5 - 6GHz Wi-Fi

  Use 5GHz ore 6GHz Wi-Fi when possible

  5GHz and 6GHz Wi-Fi are faster and less prone to interference, but their range is less.

• Proximity

  If you are using Wi-Fi, make sure you get as close as you can to the router

Avoid

• Wi-Fi

  Avoid using Wi-Fi, use wired connection instead

  Wired is more reliable than wireless and less prone to interference.

• 2.4GHz

  Avoid using 2.4GHz Wi-Fi

  2.4GHz is slower and more prone to interference, but has longer range. So try to stay close to your router to avoid using it.