Buying and Using a Network Router

Networking your home office or small office computers needn't be complex
By Greg Brown

What is a network router and why worry about buying one? A fair number of computer owners don't need a network router, but if you expect to run a small office or home office with more than one computer, or connect even a single computer to a wireless network, a network router is the solution.
 

Think of a network router like a traffic cop. When two or more computers share a printer, or a Web connection, something has to connect them and do the work of deciding who goes first. Network routers are not big nor particularly complex, but they are useful for keeping your small office productive at the lowest possible cost. And they're not even expensive!

Covered in this guide to network routers:

1. When you will need a network router
2. Why buy a wireless router to network your office
3. When a switch will do, and when a network router is better
4. Tips on economizing and simplifying network router systems

When you need to consider a network router

Got a single desktop in your home office, a Web connection and a printer? You're done. No network router needed. But add a second desk or move into an office space, and a number of tasks -- sharing files between computers, dividing the Internet connection, connecting two or more people to a single printer -- and you'll be network router shopping.
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A basic network router will connect either four (sometimes five) or eight computers and most can be expanded upon. Take a look at routers from manfacturers Belkin, Cisco, HP, 3Com, Adtran, Nortel, Netgear and Linksys.  Or target by router type on Business.com, which features categorized listings of ethernet routers and other networking hardware.

Find out if you need a network adapter

An additional part is often prescribed when setting up a home network, called a "network adapter." This is exactly what it sounds like, an small part that allows your computer to physically connect to a network router. On a desktop computer, this is a PCI card, which is installed inside. For laptops, it's often a PCMCIA card, also called a PC card, which is the size of a credit card and goes in the side of the machine.
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If you bought a laptop or desktop in the last year or so, chances are very high these adapters are unnecessary. They come pre-installed and ready to go, especially with laptops. If you want technical details, Wikipedia has a good entry on them. More on PCMCIA and network adapters is at Business.com

If you go wireless, you'll need a wireless router

Even if you expect to connect only one computer wirelessly, say a laptop with Wi-Fi capability, the way to get your small office or home office space going is to set up a wireless network. Even for small teams of five or more computers, a wireless network router is a painless, cable-free way to link up.
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Many network routers are wireless routers, but not all. Be sure to buy a wireless router that will transmit the short-range signal, known as Wi-Fi, that your laptop or desktop will hear. At Linksys, a popular small office-home office vendor owned by Cisco, you'll find simple yet complete tutorials on wireless router networking. Check out Business.com to find vendors of wireless network routers.

What a router switch is and what it is not

Some people use "network router" and "switch" interchangeably. This is an error. They often look the same, but a network router does much more.
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A switch can connect two computers but it cannot effectively manage their relationship with the Web (nor provide security, like firewalls, as can a network router). It makes sense in some cases to buy cheaper switches (or their slightly more robust cousins, called "hubs") to link up machines, but prices on network routers are low enough now to invest in network routers first. Read the technical details at Practically Networked and see options at the Business.com listing on network switches.

• A modem router is just the latest wrinkle in simplicity. Manufacturers realized that desk space was at a premium in home offices and combined the modem, which intercepts broadband Web from a cable or phone line, and a network router into one unit.
• An Internet router is not just for home use, and not just for computers. Increasingly, routers serve to connect Web-based phone systems, Internet radio, digital TV and other Web content -- even newer game consoles.
• A hub and router combo is useful for extending a wireless system over a larger area, like in a school or older office building with thick walls. The hub repeats the signal from the router, extending network coverage.