 - A wireless router is a device in a wireless local area network (WLAN) that determines the next network point to which a packet should be forwarded toward its destination. A wireless router works in the same way as the router in a hard-wired home or business local area network (LAN), but allows greater mobility for notebook or portable computers. The individual computers are equipped with small wireless transceivers that can be plugged into either a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port or a PC Card slot.
For home and business computer users who have high-speed Internet connections, a wireless router can also act as a hardware firewall. This is true even if the home or business has only one computer. Many engineers believe that the use of a router provides superior protection against hacking because individual computer IP addresses are not directly exposed to the Internet. A wireless router also does not consume computer resources as a firewall program does.
Wireless router technology has improved in recent years, providing more bandwidth and allowing for the connection of more computers to a WLAN. The newer wireless routers use the 802.11g specification, a standard that offers transmission over short distances at up to 54 megabits per second (Mbps), compared with the 11 Mbps theoretical maximum with the earlier 802.11b standard.
 |
Learn more about Mobile Basics |
| CDMA2000: A 3G mobile technology: CDMA2000 is a 3G mobile technology that includes 1xRTT, EV-DO Rev 0, EV-DO Rev A and EV-DO Rev B, and it competes with GSM technologies. |
| CDMA technology: An understanding of CDMA technology is critical for mobile managers when they are trying to select the best cellular solution for their enterprise mobile strategy. |
| An introduction to Android for mobile application development: Introducing Android, Chapter 1, from 'Android Wireless Application Development,' explores the benefits this open source platform brings to mobile application development. |
| Nokia versus Apple: Rumors are hot and heavy that Nokia will soon launch a competitor to iTunes. This raises some very interesting questions that are addressed in this analyst report. |
| The IT Guy: Mobility -- It's a beach: In this episode of "The IT Guy," a mobile worker finds that his devices (wireless laptop, glare-free screen and PDA) don't guarantee a seamless outdoor work experience. |
| LAST UPDATED: |
14 Nov 2005
|
 |
Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.
Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com
|
|
More resources from around the web:
|
 |
 |
| |
RELATED CONTENT
 |
CDMA technology
An understanding of CDMA technology is critical for mobile managers when they are trying to select the best cellular solution for their enterprise...
|
|
CDMA2000: A 3G mobile technology
CDMA2000 is a 3G mobile technology that includes 1xRTT, EV-DO Rev 0, EV-DO Rev A and EV-DO Rev B, and it competes with GSM technologies.
|
|
Femtocell solutions: Key questions to ask before you invest
Femtocells can improve in-building cellular coverage, but there are several key factors you must consider and questions you should ask before you buy...
|
|
|
Show me everything on 
