Network your business computers by using a router

Sharing and accessing information is imperative for effective business operations, and using a computer router to connect your employees to each other, the internet and your entire customer base, is just as vital. 

What's a router?

A computer router is a piece of hardware that acts as a gateway, linking all of your computers to each other and to the internet. Catering to a few employees or a bustling office, using a computer router is a cost-effective solution to information sharing. 

"Realistically, you could have a basic little router running 100 computers in a medium-sized business," says Linden Jackson from Agile IT Solutions.

Your local network

Linking all your computers by using a router creates what is known as a local area network, or LAN. This allows information to be transferred between computers, without needing to rely on CDs or memory sticks.

Employees can collaborate on files and use applications hosted on a central computer. Using a router also allows you to connect your LAN to a modem, so everyone can access the internet through a single connection.

Types of computer router

Routers come in both wired and wireless versions.

• Wired: A wired router creates a network by running an Ethernet cable into a port at the back of each computer. 
• Wireless: A wireless router creates a network by transmitting a data signal that can be received by a Wi-Fi chip in each employee's computer.

Which is better?

Wired routers are more dependable but less flexible. Wireless connectivity depends on signal strength and the distance between the computer and the router.

In terms of speed, wired routers have a 100 megabit data transfer capacity, while the wireless G standard is only 54 megabit. "Wireless is typically a slower connection," confirms Linden.

However, the difference in speed will generally only be noticeable when transferring data between computers on your network. Internet speeds will appear about the same. 

Extra security

Being a gateway between your LAN and the internet, routers add another layer of security to your network by creating a firewall. Using a router in this way can help prevent hackers and viruses accessing your computer system.

Wired routers are more secure, as they need to be accessed physically to tap into your LAN, while wireless routers demand greater security measures.

Keep your network safe when using a router

Since your wireless router is sending out a signal, it may be accessed by users outside your business. Keep your network secure by:

• changing the wireless network name (also known as the SSID) so that potential hackers can't use the brand's standard passwords
• using wireless encryption (WEP) or Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) to scramble your signal
• choosing a robust administrative password, using both letters and numbers.

Get connected

Using a router allows your employees to share information with each other and the world. Talk to a networking expert today to take advantage of the connectivity that a router can offer your business.