Why do I need a router? A router lets you share a single wireless connection with multiple devices. Imagine – a flexible network that allows you to wirelessly stream music and HD movies on your Smart TV, play video games online with your gaming console, update your Facebook status on your tablet and work from home on your laptop, all at once. It’s now easier than ever to set up a network for your home or office that can connect various Wi-Fi devices, with the speed and security you need.
The Router Finder is a quick and easy way to find the router that fits your space and lifestyle. You too can have an efficient, secure and versatile network for your home or office, all for a great price.
Answer the questions below to define your Light, Moderate or Expanded network needs. We’ll help you find the router you need.
Wireless Networking seems complicated, but doesn’t have to be. The Source is your destination for home and office internet solutions.
What is Wireless Networking? Wireless Networking is connecting a group of devices, like a smartphone, tablet and computer – to a router and high-speed internet or broadband connection. All of the devices synchronize to the network and can operate wirelessly from various locations depending on the network range. What is the purpose of a router? A router is designed to receive and analyze internet data called ‘packets’, then find appropriate locations to fit them in the network to load your programs. A router is essentially the gateway to your network connection and allows for simultaneous usage of your Wi-Fi-enabled devices, like laptops, smartphones and tablets. What is the difference between a Wireless N and Dual-Band Connection? A Wireless N connection can operate up to speeds of 300Mbps, that’s 5x faster and 2x the range of the previous Wireless G network setup. A Wireless N connection allows you to simultaneously stream HD video, music, play online gaming and more.
A Dual-Band connection is the fastest, operating on a 5GHz and 2.4GHz frequency band simultaneously. Dual-Band technology runs on two separate frequencies, allowing for speedy web browsing and gaming, avoiding a single band having to prioritize content.
What is the purpose of a Wireless Adapter? Wireless Adapters pick up wireless signals from a router, allowing you to gain a network for a specific device. Operating on a 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g or 802.11n Wi-Fi standard, Wireless Adapters come in different form factors, including USB. What is the “Cloud”? The Cloud, or ‘Cloud Computing’, is a term used to describe the way users share and store information on the internet. Online servers save and protect information – like photos on Facebook, making them readily available for access from laptops, tablets, smartphones and other devices. What are the main features of a Wireless Network Security Camera? Wireless Network Security Cameras protect your home and office investments with advanced surveillance features like: motion detection, web browser surveillance – perfect for the smartphone, video streaming, direct hard drive recording, recording schedules and email alert notifications. Can I share my Dial-Up internet with a Wireless Network connection? Yes. A Dial-Up connection can be shared across a wireless home network or wireless LAN (WLAN) network.
WIRELESS ADAPTERS
Extend your existing network with Wi-Fi Adapters that synchronize tablets, laptops and other devices to your router.
WIRELESS NETWORK SECURITY CAMERAS A Wireless Network Security Camera is a cost-effective security system that provides control and piece-of-mind.
WI-FI PRINTERS Use your smartphone, laptop or tablet to print from mobile locations within your network.
COMPUTER ACCESSORIES
A range of Wi-Fi-enabled devices can open up a world of possibilities. Your wireless network is versatile; explore it with: smartphones, laptops, tablets, gaming consoles, Smart TVs, eReaders, desktop computers and more!
SHARING & STREAMING DEVICES Get the most out of your entertainment with external hard drives and multimedia streaming devices, complete with features like: Cloud, data protection, Ethernet and media streaming.
NETWORKING CABLES Speed things up! Reliable connections rely on quality cables to boost internet signal, provide security and network expansion.
Apps: A shortened term for “application”, meaning a computer or smartphone-based software program. Apps are available in online stores, depending on the device (and operating system), they can be found in App Stores, Worlds and Markets. Bandwidth: Also known as transfer rate – describes the amount of data that can be carried from one point to another in a given time period (usually a second). This kind of bandwidth is usually expressed in bits (of data) per second (bps). Bluetooth: A technology that allows mobile phones, computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs) to connect to each other wirelessly. Buffering: Is the concept of preloading data into a reserved area of memory. This is typically used for video and audio streaming to avoid stuttering or stopping of playback when data cannot reach the destination in time. A typical buffer would hold at least a few seconds in memory and if the stream has a hiccup, the playback would still continue and the buffer would refill. Cloud: Is a broad term to describe how data like photos, software, word documents and music are stored in an online server, on-demand and readily accessible across multiple devices like: tablets, smartphones, desktop computers and laptops. Dual-Band: Dual-Band routers use both 2.4GHz and 5 GHz to transmit data either one at a time or simultaneously, depending on what the router allows. Ethernet: This is a standard computer interconnection method using a cable, known as an Ethernet cable. The speed of Ethernet is 10Mbps. Fast Ethernet: Builds upon the standard Ethernet and provides speeds up to 100Mbps (megabits per second). Firmware: Firmware is embedded software inside a router. Both wired routers and wireless routers contain firmware. The firmware implements a portion of the network protocols, security mechanisms and administrative capabilities of the hardware device. Gigabit Ethernet: Builds upon Ethernet and Fast Ethernet to deliver speeds up to 1000Mbps or 1Gbps (gigabits per second). Guestzone: Provides guest wireless access through your home router to allow friends and guest Internet access but prevent them from accessing your local network resources. For example, a friend can use your internet connection wirelessly through their smartphone by accessing your guestzone. IP Camera: Is a type of digital video camera commonly employed for surveillance, which can send and receive data via an IP network and the Internet. IPTV: IPTV (Internet Protocol Television) is the delivery of programming by video stream and is distributed by a service provider. It can be free or fee-based and can deliver either live TV or stored video. It can be bundled with other Internet Protocol services, including VoIP and high-speed Internet access. IPv6: IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) is a version of the Internet Protocol (IP) intended to succeed IPv4, which is the protocol currently used to direct almost all Internet traffic. Lag: Lag is also known as latency. Excessive lag in time-sensitive communications provide poor network service. Lag is typically not an issue or noticed with services like web, email and file transfers. However, with online gaming and video calls it produces significant delay. Modem: A device to modulate and demodulate analog signal to digital signal. ISP’s who provide cable or DSL services require a modem to be installed in order to use their service.
NAS: Network-attached storage (NAS) is a device that allows you to attach storage onto your network. This provides similar functionality to a USB enclosure, however can be easily shared within your local network. Power Line: Power Line technology extends your network’s range by utilizing your home’s existing electrical wiring. Power Line is also ideal for homes or small offices where concrete walls, successive floors in multi-storied buildings, or other architectural impediments could inhibit a wireless signal. SD: Secure Digital (SD) is a memory card format for use in portable devices such as cameras and smartphones. Shareport: Shareport technology allows users to share ordinary USB accessories on a home network by simply plugging them into a router. Signal Booster: A device that acts as a mini cellular tower to improve signal strength and clarity in a designated area, perfect for gaining more cellphone signal in an apartment, home or office. Speed: Network speeds are measured in Kbps (kilobits per second), Mbps (megabits per second) and Gbps (gigabits per second). The higher the number, plus the unit of measurement – the better the transmission and connection speed. Streaming: Viewing movies or listening to music through the Internet without waiting for downloading. Streaming is similar to on-demand. Netflix would be considered a streaming service. Throughput: See bandwidth. UPNP (Universal Plug and Play): Most home routers include this feature to enhance user experience and simplify their network. UPNP enabled devices require less configuration than non UPNP enabled devices. USB (Universal Serial Bus): USB ports and cables are used to connect devices such as printers, scanners, flash drives, external hard drives and more to a computer. In fact, USB has become so popular, it's even used in nontraditional computer-like devices such as video game consoles, wireless phones and more. WEP: Wired Equivalent Privacy is part of the original wireless standard ratified in September 1999, its intention was to provide data confidentiality comparable to that of a traditional wired network. It is a legacy security algorithm and has been superseded by WPA and WPA2. WiDi: Technology that allows a laptop to connect to your HDTV wirelessly without the hassles of cables. A WiDi compatible laptop, as well as a WiDi adapter connected to your HDTV is required. Wireless AC: Is a wireless computer networking standard of 802.11 currently under development which will provide high throughput. Wireless AC will push through the 1Gbps barrier. Wireless G: Is a standard for wireless local area networks (WLANs) that offers transmission over relatively short distances at up to 54 megabits per second (Mbps), compared with the 11 Mbps theoretical maximum with the earlier 802.11b standard. Wireless N: Is a specification for wireless LAN (WLAN) communications. 802.11n, an addition to the 802.11 family of standards, will increase wireless local area network (WLAN) speed, improve reliability and extend the range of wireless transmissions. WPA/WPA2: Wi-Fi Protected Access is two security protocols to secure wireless networks. Developed in response to serious weaknesses found in WEP security. WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup): Is a computing standard that attempts to allow easy establishment of a secure wireless home network. The goal of the protocol is to allow the average home user the ability to easily set up wireless security.
