These products are to connect to and share the internet. Not sure what product you need to connect to the internet? Not sure what the differences are between products? Click 'read more' to see more.
What can the different products do?
Internet equipment can be broken down in to 3 main functions, devices used to connect to the internet (modems), devices used to share an internet connection with more than 1 computer (routers) and devices that provide wireless functionality (these are devices that function like routers but are wireless). Modern equipment for the most part is a combination of one or more of these 3 functions. Modems provide a basic connection to the internet for 1 computer, routers allow the sharing of an internet connection between 2 or more computers and devices that provide wireless functionality allow you to extend your network without the need for cables.
Internet Connection Types
ADSL - ADSL connections are available for most people and provide a fast internet connection using your existing phone line, you can make and receive calls while using the internet.
Cable - Cable Internet uses the same connections used for pay TV. This service is only available for those who can get a pay TV service that uses a cable connection.
3G Wireless - 3G Wireless uses the same technology as 3G mobile phones to provide an Internet connection
Dial Up -
This is an older technology that is being slowly replaced by newer technology, it uses a phone line to make the connection but you can not receive or make calls while using the internet.
You should also be aware that some equipment combines 2 or more of these functions in to a single product. A wireless router combines the functions of a router allowing multiple computers to connect to the internet using cables as well as multiple computers to connect to the internet wirelessly. A wireless gateway combines all 3 functions to create a single product that is compact as well as functional allowing you to connect to the internet and share the internet both wirelessly and using cables.
What product is right for me?
This depends on what equipment you already have and what you wish to do that your current equipment is not able to do.
Need a wireless connection?
If you want to be able to use the Internet while away from home and away from an ADSL or cable connection then you would need a 3G device.
Need to share an existing internet connection?
If you already have an internet connection and want to add additional computers to the network to use the internet then you have 2 options, you can add a router to share the connection from your modem or you can replace your modem with a single device that contains both a modem and a router.
Need to add wireless to an existing network?
If you already have an internet connection and want to add wireless functionality to the network then you have a few options, you can add a device called an access point which shares the internet connection wirelessly leaving your existing hardware unchanged or you can replace existing hardware with a single device that contains both a modem and a wireless router as a bonus you would then also be able to share the internet with multiple computers using cables.
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