A router is the heart of a local network. Each network needs one router, and preferably no more than one.
At a minimum, a router includes a WAN port to connect to an Internet source and a few LAN ports for connecting local wired devices. Technically, a router is a layer 3 network switch.
Nowadays, the term “router” is often used to refer to a “Wi-Fi router” — one that has a built-in Wi-Fi access point. Consequently, we use “non-Wi-Fi” to refer to a standard router that lacks built-in Wi-Fi capability.
If you’re looking for a real gaming router and on a budget, there’s now an excellent option to consider: The Nighthawk XR300 Pro Gaming Wi-Fi Router that NETGEAR announced today. Nighthawk XR300: Designed for gamers In many ways, the XR300 is the light version of the XR500 that came out …
Today marks my 3rd anniversary of having used the ASUS RT-AC88U almost non-stop. It’s the only router I’ve continually used for such a long time. I originally reviewed this router (in my previous life) at its launch and called it the Nexus of wireless routers. Soon after, I got one …
The Jetpack MiFi 8800L is the best 4G LTE hotspot from Verizon, period. It’s better than all I’ve tested, and chances are it will also be the last. With 5G coming next year, it’s my educated guess that there won’t be another 4G hotspot. If you don’t want to hold …
I first tested the Synology RT2600ac back in early 2017 and found it excellent for geeks and nerds. Now, almost two years later, Synology manages to make it cool again—probably for everyone this time around. So, I decided to take another crack at it. Note: The RT2600ac is mostly the …
The Synology MR2200ac, released earlier this month, changes almost everything you know about Synology home Wi-Fi routers, including the company’s first two, the RT2600ac and RT1900ac. And that’s fantastic news. By itself, the MR2200ac is a fast Wi-Fi router with an excellent range. However, what’s even more significant is the …
Calling TP-Link’s Archer C5400X MU-MIMO Tri-Band Gaming Router, a gaming router, is like calling a Hummer a race car just because it’s sturdy and you can drive it on a race track. Indeed, the new router has no built-in gamers’ VPN or automatic game detection/server selection features like the case …
There’s a big, intriguing blue hole right in the middle of the ASUS Blue Cave that catches your full attention the first time you lay eyes on it. But that’s all there is to it. I was a bit disappointed when ASUS told me there was no deep meaning to …
