A wireless router is simply a router with a wireless interface! A wireless router could be a regular IP router with an 802.11 interface card and antenna added, or it could be a router specifically designed for wireless use. It is actually wired routers with wireless access points built in so you can have wired and/or wireless at the same time. Another choice is a wireless router with a built-in DSL or cable modem, see the bottom of this page for examples. Wireless routers are not as secure as hard wired. Most wireless routers also act as firewalls, switches, and provide Network Address Translation (NAT).
If network speed is important to you, be sure to purchase an 802.11a or 802.11g wireless router. If you are comfortable with 11Mbps, save money by purchasing an older 802.11b wireless router. For more information on wireless routers, check out the pages on Wireless-Routers.org! It’s only a click away. |