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With any home network, security is a concern. Broadband routers have the added benefit of acting as a "firewall" for your PCs by masking their IP addresses (which are like street addresses for each computer online) from the internet using Network Address Translation (NAT). Most routers these days have NAT built-in, and some go one step further by providing ways to filter what sites can be visited and controlling when a computer is allowed to go online. However, NAT only provides limited protection as it doesn't stop spyware, and shouldn't be used in place of a good software firewall (which acts a barrier to hackers and other online attacks).
If you use a notebook, are renting, or live in a place that's hard to cable up, however, it will be the wireless component that holds the biggest appeal. You can be up and running on a wireless network in minutes.
The current standard for wireless networking is called 802.11b, which transmits information at a speed of 11Mbps. By comparison, regular wired networks connect at 100Mbps. Make sure the wireless product you buy has been "WiFi" certified, as this means they have been tested for compatibility with other brands. An emerging specification for wireless is 802.11g (such as in the case of the Apple AirPort Extreme) which boasts transfer speeds up to 54Mbps. However, you'll need to have a matching 802.11g card on your PC, and in the case of the AirPort, it means you'll need a Mac to get the full benefits of the speed increase.
Another important point to remember about wireless is to make sure you keep intruders out of your network. Most wireless routers have a pretty good range that goes well beyond the boundaries of your home, so making sure that it is not open to anyone with a WiFi card and a notebook is no trivial matter. All wireless routers are equipped with a security feature called Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP), which is turned off by default so you can connect to the router when you first take it out of the box.
Enabling WEP as part of setting up your router is the very least you should do. Some allow you to enter a password that automatically generates a key for you to use on each wireless PC. In others, you have to make up the long string of hexadecimal characters yourself. Most are equipped with 64- and 128-bit WEP, and some even up to 256-bit. Use the highest level your router allows to block hackers. As mentioned, this is a minimum measure meant only to make it about as secure as a cabled network, so back it up with decent firewall software on each PC.
Above all else, change the default password for the router's administration page! Almost anyone with a little wireless networking experience knows the commonly used default passwords (if any), log in names and router IP addresses.
Finally, decide on a router that's compatible with your broadband service. Telstra's BigPond Cable, for example, uses a "Heartbeat" that periodically polls your computer to make sure you are still connected. If it doesn't receive the appropriate response, it will disconnect you from the internet. Routers have been getting better in this regard, but some still lag behind as they were made for overseas markets. If you like the idea of a router, but aren't sure about wireless, there are also plenty of broadband routers without the wireless component which are much cheaper.
Price: $396 router, $99 card
Has the best wireless range of the lot. The NB3000 has been designed specifically for the Aussie market with easy-to-follow Quick Start instructions covering Telstra BigPond Cable and Optus Cable services. These are also built into the configuration screens. There's even an uplink port so you can connect the NB3000 to another hub, to add more PCs to the network using wires.
A good option for small business.
Price: $299 router, $129 card
Setting up the MR814 is easy thanks to clearly presented instructions and explanations. For parents, it has comprehensive content filtering options, blocking sites and services based on keywords or port and IP addresses. It also allows you to schedule when to allow access to the internet. It also looks better than the average box and is the most ideal solution for home users.
D-Link AirPlus DI-614+
Price: $499.95 router, $169 card
This is a unique product that uses "enhanced" 2.4GHz wireless networking that doubles the speed limit to 22Mbps, while remaining compatible with standard 802.11b equipment. Testing revealed more than 60 per cent improvement in transfer rates over the Netgear MR814 when using the faster mode, and a matching D-Link wireless adaptor. Setup wizard is excellent, and the DI-614+ has high-level (256-bit WEP) encryption and extensive filtering capabilities.
Apple AirPort Extreme
Price: $399 router, $199 card (AirPort Extreme ready systems only)
It is fast. The first 802.11g wireless product in the market doesn't disappoint. It was more than three times quicker than the Netgear. Compatibility, however, remains an issue as the AirPort Extreme doesn't play nicely with some wireless cards. Switching it to "802.11b only" mode resolves any problems, but you lose out on the performance benefits. USB port allows you to share a printer on the network.
There really is something here for everyone. Mac users need to look no further than the AirPort Extreme. The Netcomm is loaded with features and local settings make it easy to configure. D-Link's DI-614+ is indeed impressive and delivers faster throughput and plenty of customisability, but you pay extra for it. The Netgear MR814 gets the nod in the end, however, as it is easy to set up and use and has everything you need to get started at a low price.
Wireless is quickly becoming standard fare in notebooks following Intel's release of its Centrino mobile technology. Centrino includes among other things, built-in 802.11b wireless networking which means you don't have to fiddle around with a WiFi adaptor card for your computer. Wireless hotspots in places such as cafes and airports that are Centrino-certified will be prominently marked with the pink and blue brand logo, so users know where they can log on.
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