Choosing the right router for your home or business is a critical decision. While the debate between business routers and home routers rages on, it’s primarily relevant to those individuals with exceedingly advanced home networking requirements who are considering an upgrade to a business-class router. For everyday internet browsing needs, a standard home router can provide fast and secure connectivity, meeting the demands of most households.
However, when it comes to business operations, relying on a consumer-grade router can significantly impede performance. In this blog, we’ll help you navigate the decision-making process effectively. Whether it’s for your home or business needs, we’ve got you covered.
How does a Router work?
Routers serve as the traffic controllers of the internet. They play a crucial role in directing every email you send and every web page you visit as they traverse a network of these devices. Internet service providers (ISPs) are responsible for maintaining the bandwidth, which can be likened to the highways, enabling messages and web pages to navigate between routers. Much like how cities rely on traffic stops to ensure the safe arrival of employees at work, offices depend on routers to facilitate the flow of information to their connected devices.
It’s important to note that a router and a modem are not the same devices. A modem is responsible for establishing the initial internet connection that your router subsequently manages. After signing up with a provider, you should receive your modem as part of the setup process.
Difference between Home and Business Routers
One of the fundamental distinctions between a home router and a business router lies in the price point, with business-class routers typically commanding a higher cost due to their extended lifespan. Businesses aim for equipment that can endure for a decade or more, whereas residential customers typically seek routers with a lifespan of one to two years, enough to accommodate occasional internet speed upgrades.
As a result, the most significant disparity between a home router and a business router is that the former is essentially designed with a disposable mindset. This divergence is also reflected in the warranty coverage. Business-class routers often offer substantially longer warranty periods, whereas home routers typically come with warranties tailored for light usage and frequently exclude business applications.
Furthermore, consumer-grade hardware is engineered to accommodate a limited number of devices, such as a smart TV, a few PCs, tablets, smartphones, or a gaming system, each with intermittent usage and varying demands.
It’s important to note that a business router is purpose-built to withstand a consistent and heavy workload throughout the day. These routers incorporate superior technology, including faster GPUs, increased RAM, and a more adaptable operating system that can be customized to suit the specific operational needs of a business.
What To Consider When Choosing A Router?
Now that you have a grasp of how routers function and the difference between home and business routers, it’s time to delve into what specific attributes you should be seeking. Are you in need of a router that can cover a small office space or an entire floor? Is a router with merely “adequate” speed sufficient, or do you require a high-performance one akin to a sports car? Perhaps you’re interested in a router that boasts additional firewalls for heightened data security? Router requirements can vary from one business to another, but several key factors should be considered
Speed: A router’s speed is determined in part by its gigabits-per-second (Gbps) rating. It’s worth noting that gigabits are frequently confused with gigabytes, although they are distinct units of measurement. To clarify, eight gigabits make up one gigabyte. For most small offices, a router with a throughput of three to five Gbps should suffice, though faster options are available.
Number of Users: A fast router loses its effectiveness if it cannot support multiple users concurrently. This is where bandwidth comes into play. Bandwidth is analogous to the width of a highway—the greater the bandwidth a router offers, the more employees can connect their devices without diminishing their speed. Bandwidth is quantified in gigahertz (GHz), and most routers come equipped with several distinct “bands” that differ in speed and signal strength. For example, a 2.4 GHz band provides a slower speed but a robust signal, whereas a 5 GHz band offers a much higher speed but a weaker signal. Many routers feature multiple bands, allowing managers like you to select the best configuration for your office environment. Some routers even permit multiple bands to operate simultaneously.
Range: Consider the size of your office space. Is it compact and confined to a single room or does it span an entire floor? Regardless, assessing your router’s range is crucial. The range can be determined by both bandwidth and the number of antennas integrated into the router. More antennas equate to a broader signal coverage. To simplify matters, most router manufacturers specify their devices’ ranges in square footage rather than based on the number of antennas. This makes it easier to determine the most suitable range for your needs. For larger office spaces, you can enhance your router’s range with mesh networking by deploying multiple nodes throughout your office to relay Wi-Fi signals from room to room.
Security: Evaluate the sensitivity of your company’s data. Is the exchange of proprietary information a rare occurrence within your office, or is it a regular part of your daily operations? In the latter case, you should opt for a router equipped with robust firewalls and potentially a virtual private network (VPN). Firewalls function as vigilant gatekeepers, inspecting all internet traffic passing through your router. On the other hand, a VPN takes security a step further by encrypting all traffic even as it traverses firewalls. VPNs are considerably more challenging for malware to breach than firewalls alone. Hence, consider these features based on your security needs.
While routers offer a plethora of additional features, the four mentioned above are undeniably the most critical. When selecting a router, take into account your desired internet speed, the number of users, the size of your office space, and your security requirements.
Don’t forget to maintain your router once it’s installed. Make sure that it’s positioned in a location with optimal signal coverage throughout the office. Keep the router’s physical housing clean and ensure it has an unobstructed line of sight. Lastly, if you are choosing for business, check for the number of employees in your office and if you’re expanding your team, consider upgrading to a more robust router sooner rather than later.
