Broadband Routers have three main purposes:
- Sharing your broadband Internet connection with all PC's, games consoles or laptops (notebooks) in your household.
- Routing information to all the computers on your home network and out onto the Internet to remote computers and networks anywhere in the world. For example: Browsing the web, emailing, connecting to a corporate network, playing games across the Internet or across your home network or printing to your home printer.
- Securing your network by acting as a filter between the outside world (Internet) and your home computers and laptops. Broadband modems don't usually have sophisticated security measures built-in, so using them without a router can leave you open to hackers and other online threats. Using a router with a built-in firewall makes your wired or wireless network more secure.
Broadband Routers fall into two categories:
- ADSL Modem Routers for ADSL broadband subscribers
- Providers include: BT, AOL, Zen, Bulldog
- Cable Routers for Cable broadband subscribers
- Two providers in the UK: Telewest and NTL
Both types of broadband router perform the same function of providing an interface between your home network and the outside world, enabling you to share your Internet connection with every computer you own. The main difference between these broadband routers is how they connect to the Internet:
ADSL Modem Routers
ADSL Broadband is achieved by upgrading your standard BT telephone line (the line you plug your plain ordinary telephone into) to deliver fast Internet services to the home. ADSL Modem Routers work by plugging directly into your upgraded BT line, there is no need for a separate modem. Once connected to the line, the ADSL Modem Router is able to share the Broadband Internet connection with all the computers in your home.
Cable Routers
Cable broadband subscribers connect to the service via a cable modem that plugs into the cable wall socket. Cable Routers work by plugging into the provided cable modem's built-in networking port (also known as Ethernet port or RJ-45 connection - check that your cable modem has one). Once connected to the modem, which in turn is connected to the cable wall socket, the Cable Router is able to share the broadband Internet connection with all the computers in your home.
Choose a Broadband Router
Click the links below to view NETGEAR's range of ADSL Modem Routers and Cable Routers:
Wired Broadband Routers Wireless Broadband Routers |
