Broadband Router Guide for the and small office

The basic idea behind a broadband router is to allow two or more computers to share In internet connection using a technology called NAT - network address translation .  With only a single IP address on the Internet, all of the computers in your can be on the Internet at the same time. Additionally, NAT naturally acts as a rudimentary firewall by masking the true IP address of our computer - thus helping to keep your systems safe from hackers.

Broadband routers can be as easy or as complex as you want them to be. A basic model can extend your Internet to all the computers in your . If all you do is surf and write e-mail, a simple broadband router is both easy to install and ZERO maintenance. For the more adventurous, manufacturers have added a myriad of options and features that can delight, confuse and confound us.

  Router Features Guide (long) 

  Sharing Files once your Router is running

 

Not all applications work well with broadband routers.  If hosting internet games is an integral part of your computing experience, a broadband router may sometimes get in your way.  Most broadband routers support the big games like HalfLife and Quake, but support for more esoteric games can vary from manufacturer to manufacturer.  In general you get what you pay for in broadband routers.

Other special network applications may also have problems across a broadband router.  Applications like NetMeeting may not work at all!  This should not keep you from purchasing a broadband router, just realize that applications other than web, ftp and other standards may need some work to get going.

Hub with multiple-IP address