Network Specifications

Type

Router

Type

The devices we encounter are standalone routers, routers with built-in modems, and mobile routers.

A router requires a separate modem and distributes the connection to multiple devices via Wi-Fi or Ethernet, but cannot connect directly to the internet. A modem/router combines a modem and router in one device, connects directly to the internet provider, and distributes the connection to the local network. A mobile router, on the other hand, uses a SIM card and mobile data to create a portable Wi-Fi hotspot, ideal for use outside the home or in areas without a fixed connection.

Router

Plain router (without modem). The router is a device to which other devices (e.g. computer, mobile, TV) connect either wirelessly or with a cable, and it shares internet access with them. It receives internet access through a separate device called a modem.

Maximum Wireless Speed

300 Mbps

Maximum Wireless Speed

Theoretical maximum speed with a wirelessly connected device primarily used for marketing purposes. The speed of each connected device depends on factors such as distance, obstacles, the number of other devices connected, the number of other networks in the same area, etc.

Maximum LAN Speed

100 Mbps

Maximum LAN Speed

The maximum speed that the modem/router can offer to devices connected to it via ethernet cable.

100

Usually, 100Mbps is sufficient for the needs of most users. For more demanding uses such as transferring large files (e.g. high-definition videos), prefer a device with support for 1000Mbps. Note that all involved devices must support this speed, otherwise data transmission will be limited to the speed of the slowest device.

Portable Hotspot

No

Portable Hotspot

Mobile routers with built-in battery so you can use them anywhere.

These mobile routers have a SIM card slot for wireless internet access through 3G/4G mobile networks.

Wi-Fi Generation

Wi‑Fi 4

Wi-Fi Generation

The Wi-Fi generation is a more user-friendly term for networking standards that affect maximum Wi-Fi speed, distance, sensitivity to obstacles, etc.

Wi‑Fi 4

Older Wi-Fi standard, significantly slower than Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6.

Recommended for use with few devices and for applications that do not require high speeds. 

For most users, it would be preferable to choose a Wi-Fi 5 or 6 device depending on their needs.

Each newer generation is compatible with devices that support some previous one.

Network Standards

IEEE 802.11 b/g/n, IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.3/3u

Network Standards

The device supports various networking standards that affect the maximum Wi-Fi speed, distance, sensitivity to obstacles, etc. This information is also reflected in the more user-friendly Wi-Fi generation. It is recommended to choose a Wi-Fi 5 (IEEE 802.11ac) or Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax) device.

IEEE 802.11 b/g/n

The older Wi-Fi standard, known as Wi-Fi 4, is significantly slower than Wi-Fi 5 (IEEE 802.11ac) and Wi-Fi 6 (IEEE 802.11ax).

It is recommended for use with few devices and for applications that do not require high speeds. For most users, it would be preferable to choose a Wi-Fi 5 or 6 device according to their needs. Each newer generation is compatible with devices that support a previous one.

Wi-Fi Frequency

Single Band (2.4GHz)

Wi-Fi Frequency

The frequencies in which the device can transmit. Most modern routers transmit on two (2.4 & 5GHz) or even three frequencies. Additional frequencies allow for faster speeds on more devices, with the biggest difference observed from one frequency to the other.

Single Band (2.4GHz)

It operates on a single frequency. Slower compared to dual and tri band.

Connectivity

Wireless network

Yes

Wireless network

The device has a wireless network to which we can connect wireless devices that support it. In case it doesn't, the connection can only be made through an ethernet cable.

Ethernet LAN connections

4

Ethernet LAN connections

The number of ethernet ports that the device has for direct wired device connections. Most routers offer 4 ports.

USB 2.0 connections

-

USB 2.0 connections

The device has a USB 2.0 port, which is an older version of USB with slower data transfer speeds (480Mbit/s) compared to newer versions, but still suitable for typical use (e.g. connecting a printer).

2. Depending on the device, the USB port can also be used to connect other devices so that all other devices connected to the home network can access them.

USB 3.0 connections

-

USB 3.0 connections

The device features a modern USB 3.0 port that offers faster data transfer (5 Gbit/s) compared to USB 2.0 but remains compatible with older versions. Depending on the device, the USB port can be used to connect other devices so that all other devices connected to the home network have access to them (e.g. USB stick, external hard drive, etc.).

ISDN Connection

No

SIM slot

No

SIM slot

The device has a SIM card slot for internet connection through a mobile network. The SIM card should have an active data plan.

Security

Firewall

-

Firewall

Protection mechanisms available on the device.

The NAT "hides" the addresses of all devices on your local network behind a unique address, while SPI controls data traffic for patterns of known attack types (e.g. DDoS). They can be used simultaneously.

Encryption Protocols

WPA, WPA2, WPS

Encryption Protocols

The security protocols supported by the device for encrypting data transmitted wirelessly and protecting against third-party connections to your network.

The first protocol was WEP, which was replaced by WPA, which in turn evolves into generations with each generation having a corporate and home version. Anything older than WPA2 is not considered secure.

It is recommended that the device support at least WPA2-Personal (PSK) for home use.

WPA

The WPA protocol was a temporary significant improvement over WEP, but still vulnerable and outdated. It has now been replaced by WPA 2.

WPA2

The WPA 2 protocol replaced WPA in 2004 and uses AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) technology, which is approved by the US government for classified documents. It is considered secure for home use.

WPS

WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) offers an easy way to connect new devices to your network (e.g. by pressing a button), but it has been found to be vulnerable to attacks and is recommended to be disabled wherever possible. This security gap is considered a risk mainly for corporate applications as it is very rare for an individual to be targeted.

MAC Address Filtering

No

MAC Address Filtering

MAC (media access control) address filtering is the ability of a device to allow specific devices to connect based on their unique MAC address, while excluding any device with a MAC address that has not been defined as acceptable.

Extras

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

No

Virtual Private Network (VPN)

The device has the ability to set up a VPN (Virtual Private Network) so that traffic from all devices on our network passes through it. 2. The VPN acts as an intermediary between us and the rest of the internet. This way, we can give the impression that we are geographically located in another country and the pages we visit see the VPN address as the visitor's address, not ours. 3. This provides us with anonymity and access to content with geographic restrictions (e.g. some YouTube videos are only available in certain countries, the Netflix catalog is different depending on the country, etc.). 4. VPN services are usually paid for by subscription.

VoIP

No

Mesh

No

Mesh

It is a complete home WiFi system with multiple access points designed to eliminate dead zones and provide seamless WiFi throughout your home with higher speeds and more devices.