woman with headphones using laptop

Resource Center

Hybrid and Work From Home Employees

Featured: Business Solutions

Securing the New Home Office Edge

Many organizations have opted to permanently move to home-based workforces for at least part of their labor force and, consequently, they must be able to support a hybrid work environment for the foreseeable future.

laptop with dongle

Featured: Performance Improvement

How to Improve the WiFi Performance of Your Windows Laptop With a USB Adapter

A USB WiFi adapter. It’s the easiest, most cost-effective way to upgrade your older Windows laptop, and it can make a world of difference for your Internet connection.

The latest in home technology and news.

{ "id" : "6-ways-to-boost-your-home-network-security-part-1", "name" : "6 Ways to Boost Your Home Network Security (Part 1)", "type_id" : "resourceArticle", "data" : { "articleImage" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/cybersecurity-resource-article-1000x750.png", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "alt" : "woman verifying security with phone and laptop ", "articleDescOverride" : "Securing your home network and practicing healthy online habits are important steps to safeguarding your personal data and connected devices. " }, "custom" : { "articleImage" : "https://www.linksys.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-Linksys-Shared-Library/default/dwcc6a46a3/images/Articles/cybersecurity-resource-article-1000x750.png", "articleImageAlt" : "woman verifying security with phone and laptop ", "articleTitle" : "6 Ways to Boost Your Home Network Security (Part 1)", "articleDesc" : "Securing your home network and practicing healthy online habits are important steps to safeguarding your personal data and connected devices. ", "articleURL" : "https://www.linksys.com/6-ways-to-boost-your-home-network-security-part-1.html" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "main", "components" : [ { "id" : "981abb00b5e2518e3d77377971", "name" : "Breadcrumbs", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.breadcrumbs", "data" : { "border" : true, "lvl1Link" : "https://www.linksys.com/resource-center.html", "lvl2Text" : "6 Ways to Boost Your Home Network Security Part 1", "lvl1Text" : "Resource Center" } }, { "id" : "73af16fb835eacab18f35a7a28", "name" : "Article Main", "type_id" : "commerce_layouts.article2Col", "data" : { "layoutOptions" : "75% | 25%", "fullWidth" : false, "orderMobile" : "Col 1 First, Col 2 Second", "borderBetween" : "Include Border" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "2e3d058d97b01f9e7dc2fa2254", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h1><strong style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">6 Ways to Boost Your&nbsp;Home Network Security (Part 1)</strong></h1><p>5 minute read</p>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 2", "theme" : "Dark Text" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "3a3f681ed8c4ef917e5118b448", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/cybersecurity-resource-article-1000x750.png", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "woman verifying security on cell phone and laptop" } }, { "id" : "e2790d9da3b7827686c5bb8ff0", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "a533ffd39a17b14c2275bd086d", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16px", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>With a growing number of people <a style=\"color: black;\" data-link-label=\"working from home\" data-link-type=\"external\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.linksys.com/securing-new-home-office-edge.html\">working from home</a>, using the internet, and connecting more devices than ever before, the number of opportunities for cybercrimes continue to rise. In 2021, the cost of cybercrime globally topped $6 trillion, with 70% in the US alone. Protecting your home network and all of your connected devices is absolutely essential in safeguarding sensitive information and keeping it out of the hands of data miners and cybercriminals. In this article, we're going to cover some best practices for home network security.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "c1a5126765faaf16f85e6cbf6e", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "84d17cfe6fe792ff615d73ee09", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>Cyber attacks are on the rise</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>With a 15.1% increase in the number of cyberattacks and data breaches in the last year and damages estimated at $6.9 billion in the US and $6 trillion globally, organizations in both the public and private sectors have been struggling to keep up with a growing number of sophisticated schemes used by hackers and data miners – including social engineering (of which phishing is a common type of attack), <a href=\"https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/threats/ransomware\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"ransomware\" style=\"color: rgb(5, 99, 193);\">ransomware</a>, malware (think viruses, or Trojans), and distributed <span style=\"color: black;\">denial-of-service</span> (DDoS) attacks. Many of these organizations have been investigating and attempting to implement new ways to create safer, more secure networks at the office and at home for their employees, as existing methods are fast becoming obsolete.</p><p><br></p><p>Consumers are feeling the pressure too, as these cybercriminals target not only organizations, but also individuals from whom they can steal sensitive information such as passwords, financial data, medical records, and the like, as selling such types of information on the dark web is most lucrative for them. The statistics are alarming – today, 59% of Americans have been a victim of a cybercrime – that's 152 million people (Harris Poll, 2022). A recent study also reported that <a href=\"https://now.symassets.com/content/dam/norton/campaign/NortonReport/2021/2021_NortonLifeLock_Cyber_Safety_Insights_Report_Global_Results.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"one in three\" style=\"color: rgb(5, 99, 193);\">one in three</a> people have fallen victim to a cybercrime in the last year alone (Norton, 2021).</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "a2fb734c09fca5eb5b218267f3", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "9af8ccd75e5660043a20e8076f", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>Securing your home network</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Securing your home network and practicing healthy online habits are important steps to safeguarding your personal data and connected devices. In addition to securing your router, take note of any access points, extenders, or <a href=\"https://www.linksys.com/what-is-a-modem.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"modems\" style=\"color: rgb(5, 99, 193);\">modems</a> that you use, as well as what is referred to as \"endpoints,\" such as smart TVs, laptops, mobile phones, and IoT/smart devices like connected security cameras, doorbells, fitness trackers, washing machines, and speakers.</p><p><br></p><p>Here are 6 ways you can boost your home network security.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "e6dd792ae7b8c21dee3fb5dbd4", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "fb2257bdc5f25eafd0d8d1b4e2", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>&nbsp;1. Use strong passwords and multi-factor <span style=\"color: black;\">authentication</span> (MFA) whenever possible.</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Make sure you have a strong, unique password on your router (and a unique SSID changed from the default one out of the box) and each of your connected devices (anything with a web interface). Never reuse a password. Change them regularly. You might consider using a password manager so you don't have to commit them all to memory – <a href=\"https://www.wired.com/story/best-password-managers/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"here\" style=\"color: rgb(5, 99, 193);\">here</a> are a few recommendations.</p><p><br></p><p>Don't overlook older devices that are still connected to your network – these devices can easily become your weakest link and hackers actively look for these. If you don't use them anymore, disconnect them. And if they're over 7 years old, they won't have the same security measures new devices have, and it might not be worth keeping them around due to the increased risk.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>What's in a strong password?</strong></p><p><br></p><p>A strong password contains a mix of lowercase and uppercase characters, numbers, and symbols. It's longer than 12 characters and does not use dictionary words or keyword patterns. Note that length trumps complexity.</p><p><br></p><p>What's in a weak password? According to Symantec, the top password attackers used to access IoT devices in 2018 was “123456,” which was used in one-quarter of all attacks.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "9a5a5ded1be611659b3ca964cc", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "1b9dd98e87b36010824d2a6ca6", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>2. Update your software often so your firmware and firewall are up-to-date.</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>This includes being on the latest OS, web browsers, and security software. Don't forget to keep mobile phones updated too. As we have more and more devices connected to our Wi-Fi, it is important to check when our devices were last updated.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>How to check</strong></p><p><br></p><p>To check if you have the latest version of software, check the settings tab of your device. There is typically a security tab or a dedicated \"updates\" tab. If you cannot find it, then a quick online search should be able to help you to know where to find the information and which version is the latest.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "efff17e09b9f79a9047a5fb540", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "7eccf65d1821fa77cde67fd3ad", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>3. Use anti-malware or anti-virus software, and endpoint security software.</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Run regular system scans with a security suite that offers anti-virus, anti-phishing, safe browsing, host-based intrusion prevention, and ensure your router supports basic firewall capabilities.</p><p><br></p><p>We suggest you explore several options for anti-malware and and safe browsing software, making sure that they suit your needs and provide a way for you to track – and act on – any suspicious activity.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "aabc12146dae4db1dd9029840f", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "fd3a4595710ebb184c4ece1e4c", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>4. Use a personally-owned router, not an ISP-provided router.</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p><a href=\"https://www.linksys.com/benefits-to-replacing-isp-router.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"Using your own router\" style=\"color: rgb(5, 99, 193);\">Using your own router</a> maximizes administrative control over the routing and wireless features of your home network. ISP-provided routers may have oversimplified features and less options for firewall, security management, or performance. In addition, you might save money on any rental fees from your ISP.</p><p><br></p><p>If you're looking for a new router, you might want to check out <a href=\"https://www.linksys.com/for-home/products/wifi-routers/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"Linksys routers\" style=\"color: rgb(5, 99, 193);\">Linksys routers</a>. Make sure you choose one that suits your device and speed requirements. For greater coverage with multiple nodes, consider a <a href=\"https://www.linksys.com/for-home/products/whole-home-mesh-wifi/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"mesh router system\" style=\"color: rgb(5, 99, 193);\">mesh router system</a>, available in 1, 2, and 3-packs. If you've got a work-from-home (WFH) setup and are curious about an enterprise solution, check out <a href=\"https://www.linksys.com/homewrk-for-business.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"HomeWRK\" style=\"color: rgb(5, 99, 193);\">HomeWRK</a>. If you're unsure which type to buy, <a href=\"https://www.linksys.com/whole-home-mesh-wifi.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"here's\" style=\"color: rgb(5, 99, 193);\">here's</a> some more info on mesh WiFi.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "2533bf629c332070dec69313f6", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "82071e3c766553e591402d62c3", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>5. Get a router that has WPA3 security in place of one that only has WPA2.</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p><a style=\"color: rgb(5, 99, 193);\" data-link-label=\"WPA3\" data-link-type=\"external\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/security\">WPA3</a>, also known as Wi-Fi Protected Access 3, is the most secure, and most up-to-date encryption protocol of a security certification program made by the <a style=\"color: rgb(5, 99, 193);\" data-link-label=\"Wi-Fi Alliance\" data-link-type=\"external\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.wi-fi.org/who-we-are\">Wi-Fi Alliance</a>.</p><p><br></p><p>In basic terms, it scrambles the data signal between devices.</p><p><br></p><p>If you have devices that are not compatible with this standard, opt for WPA2. Make sure WPA3/WPA2 security is turned on for your router on both standard and guest networks.</p><p><br></p><p><a style=\"color: rgb(5, 99, 193);\" data-link-label=\"Here's\" data-link-type=\"external\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.netspotapp.com/blog/wifi-security/what-is-wpa3.html\">Here's</a> some more info about WPA3.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "792b22d93570d4d996bfe30b2b", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "73c862b04ec7436ebc165d0ebf", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3><span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">6. Create a separate network for guests.</span></h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Have your house guests and IoT/smart devices on the guest network. Many IoT devices use basic firmware and lack security protection which leaves your entire network vulnerable to added risks. Using the guest network for these devices adds a layer of protection, keeping your primary network safe even if your guest network gets attacked.</p><p><br></p><p><strong style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">How to set it up</strong></p><p><br></p><p><span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">To set up a guest network, either use the manufacturer's mobile app or go to your WiFi settings by copying and pasting your IP address into the search bar of your browser and logging in with your router’s name and password. Find the section with your guest network settings and change the name and password. You can also consider using a QR code (set one up </span><a href=\"https://qifi.org/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"here\" style=\"color: rgb(5, 99, 193);\">here</a><span style=\"color: rgb(0, 0, 0);\">) for your guests, so they don't need to remember a long-winded password to join your guest network.</span></p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "49ab10d0196b187106d3fb7045", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "993cc18cc395b1c1460aae0ccb", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>Conclusion</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>The challenge we face is not easy. The methods hackers and data miners use are ever-changing, and nothing is secure indefinitely. As cybersecurity expert Nick Espinosa said, \"everything is vulnerable in some way, and if there is a vulnerability, it <em>will</em> be exploited–no exceptions.\"</p><p><br></p><p>Cybersecurity isn't as simple as buying software or hardware and leaving everything to it, and it's no longer something we consider optional. Just as we secure the front doors of our homes, it is important to protect our online presence. With continued innovation in the IoT space, with connected doorbells, washing machines, LED lights, heating/cooling systems, and more, there is also a growing pool of opportunities for exploitation. And if you're part of the growing remote workforce, you might be particularly focused on digital safety, as you determine appropriate security protocols for work-from-home setups. It's a new reality we all need to adjust to.</p><p><br></p><p>What we <em>can</em> do – is to stay educated on online risks, while maintaining a strong security protocol at home. Ensure family members are also practicing good cyberhygiene. You can use this article as a checklist to get started. And stay tuned - we'll have a few more tips to share soon!</p><p><br></p><p>If you're looking for a new home WiFi router, check out our latest products <a href=\"https://www.linksys.com/for-home/products/wifi-routers/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"here\">here</a>. If you prefer mesh WiFi for wider coverage, here are our <a href=\"https://www.linksys.com/for-home/products/whole-home-mesh-wifi/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"mesh router systems\">mesh router systems</a>, available in 1, 2, and 3-packs. If you've got a work-from-home setup and are curious about an enterprise solution, check out <a href=\"https://www.linksys.com/homewrk-for-business.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"HomeWRK\">HomeWRK</a>.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "8d78deed0baf0b51e693c6fa62", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "09fe37d261885c9848d296b76b", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>Resources</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<ol><li>UpCity, 2022. <a href=\"https://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckbrooks/2022/06/03/alarming-cyber-statistics-for-mid-year-2022-that-you-need-to-know/?sh=1f2a67997864\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"https://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckbrooks/2022/06/03/alarming-cyber-statistics-for-mid-year-2022-that-you-need-to-know/?sh=1f2a67997864\">https://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckbrooks/2022/06/03/alarming-cyber-statistics-for-mid-year-2022-that-you-need-to-know/?sh=1f2a67997864</a></li><li>FBI Internet Crime Report 2021. <a href=\"https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2021_IC3Report.pdf\" target=\"_self\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2021_IC3Report.pdf\">https://www.ic3.gov/Media/PDF/AnnualReport/2021_IC3Report.pdf</a></li><li><span style=\"color: rgb(0, 30, 32);\">Cybersecurity Ventures, 2020. </span><a href=\"https://cybersecurityventures.com/cybercrime-damages-6-trillion-by-2021/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"https://cybersecurityventures.com/cybercrime-damages-6-trillion-by-2021/\">https://cybersecurityventures.com/cybercrime-damages-6-trillion-by-2021/</a></li><li>\"State of Cybersecurity Resilience 2021,\" Accenture, 2021. <a href=\"https://www.accenture.com/_acnmedia/PDF-165/Accenture-State-Of-Cybersecurity-2021.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"https://www.accenture.com/_acnmedia/PDF-165/Accenture-State-Of-Cybersecurity-2021.pdf\">https://www.accenture.com/_acnmedia/PDF-165/Accenture-State-Of-Cybersecurity-2021.pdf</a></li></ol>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "c0007a4cb18cb56e3152aee0bb", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32px", "spacerSize" : "32px" } } ] }, { "id" : "column2", "components" : [ { "id" : "81bb64544a3859b36070b63f11", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.shopStory", "data" : { "navHeadline" : "RELATED PRODUCTS", "bgColor" : "Transparent", "swipeMobile" : false, "theme" : "Dark Text", "useCustomBgColor" : false }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "bb3a44af509f333ae642c4ecae", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "MX4200", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } }, { "id" : "b875861fb3755baa2b1fddf79f", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "MR5500", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } }, { "id" : "d8840c622961c98508d90191b8", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "MX8502", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } } ] } ] } ] } ] }, { "id" : "084df546567efc0f1942930906", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } } ] } ] }
{ "id" : "test-wifi-home-network-speed", "name" : "How to Test Your WiFi Home Network Speed", "type_id" : "resourceArticle", "data" : { "articleImage" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/test-network-speed/test-home-wifi-network-speed.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "articleTitleOverride" : "How to Test Your WiFi Home Network Speed", "alt" : "Man on laptop.", "articleDescOverride" : "If you feel like your connection is lacking in the get-up-and-go department, it takes only a few quick, free tests to identify the problem." }, "custom" : { "articleImage" : "https://www.linksys.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-Linksys-Shared-Library/default/dw6037040c/images/Articles/test-network-speed/test-home-wifi-network-speed.jpg", "articleImageAlt" : "Man on laptop.", "articleTitle" : "How to Test Your WiFi Home Network Speed", "articleDesc" : "If you feel like your connection is lacking in the get-up-and-go department, it takes only a few quick, free tests to identify the problem.", "articleURL" : "https://www.linksys.com/test-wifi-home-network-speed.html" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "main", "components" : [ { "id" : "9917d3c503470f945567a552b9", "name" : "Breadcrumbs", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.breadcrumbs", "data" : { "border" : true, "lvl1Link" : "https://www.linksys.com/resource-center.html", "lvl2Text" : "How to Test Your WiFi Home Network Speed", "lvl1Text" : "Resource Center" } }, { "id" : "4b5d13ed5f4a3dfa37ac93fe87", "name" : "Article Main", "type_id" : "commerce_layouts.article2Col", "data" : { "layoutOptions" : "75% | 25%", "fullWidth" : false, "orderMobile" : "Col 1 First, Col 2 Second", "borderBetween" : "Include Border" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "e8c0ab98d5d92deb1c454f83e6", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h1>How to Test Your WiFi Home Network Speed</h1>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 2", "theme" : "Dark Text" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "875c0b4fc55e7847981beeb61a", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/test-network-speed/test-home-wifi-network-speed.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "Test WiFi Home Network Speed " } }, { "id" : "b1965856f3d1d0c68cd9bed59e", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "6032bbb7f974f85ecf53c1d4db", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p><span style=\"color: rgb(51, 51, 51);\">If you’re feeling sick, you go to the doctor—it just makes sense. You want to make sure everything's functioning exactly as it should. The same should apply to your home network. Whether you’re home streaming a new Hollywood hit in 4K or transferring gigs of data for work, your WiFi is an absolutely essential household utility. So if you feel like your connection is lacking in the get-up-and-go department, it takes only a few quick, free tests to identify the problem. Thankfully, checking your WiFi performance is a whole lot easier than making a doctor's appointment.</span></p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "441c5cd80123b3e41754dc0088", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "4eeae152ca88f15d861c068cd5", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>What You're Testing:&nbsp;Upload and Download Speeds</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>When it comes time to test your home WiFi network, you're looking for two basic measurements: Download speed and upload speed. The former measures the speed of data travelling to your home network, which you need to do things like:&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;</p><ul><li>Check your email and open or save attachments.&nbsp;</li><li>Browse the Internet on anything from your laptop to your tablet to your smart TV.</li><li>Stream video on services like Netflix or Hulu, or stream music.</li><li>Update software and video games to their latest versions.</li><li>Save files from the cloud to your computer or smart device.</li></ul><p>Upload speed measures the inverse of download speed—it gauges how fast you can send data from your network to others. You’ll use it to:&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;</p><ul><li>Add files to cloud storage services such as Google Drive or OneDrive.</li><li>Attach files to outgoing emails.&nbsp;</li><li>Send out a live video stream, as you would on Skype, FaceTime, or Periscope.</li><li>Uploading pictures from your phone to Facebook or Instagram.&nbsp;</li></ul><p>When you run a speed test, you'll also see a measurement of your ping, which is basically your WiFi's response time. For all you hardcore PS5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox One fans, this is a crucial measurement for online gaming. Ping is measured in milliseconds, so a low number is good news.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "c9cd28f585cda88f2428b57004", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "195417adb80a56c501bda2aeff", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>How to Test: Browser-Based Speed Tests</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>The quickest, easiest, and most painless way to gauge your WiFi speed is to use a free, browser-based test like the one offered by Internet metrics company OOKLA at&nbsp;<a data-link-label=\"Speedtest.net\" data-link-type=\"external\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.speedtest.net/\">Speedtest.net</a>. With about 8 billion tests under its belt, OOKLA has more data to back speed comparisons than any other tester out there. Speedtest and similar browser-based apps work by downloading and uploading a small amount of data, then measuring the speed of the transfer—simple as that.</p><p><br></p><p>The best part? Taking a test like this one is as easy as visiting the site and clicking a button. Just watch the needle move and wait for your download, upload, and ping results.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "14010cc70a3d875698d607f387", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "396f4e3930e8e64c5ded88f758", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>When to Test: Ideal WiFi Conditions</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Before you hit that tempting “Begin Test” button, you'll want to create an ideal environment for testing. Otherwise, you won't be giving your WiFi a fair shot.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">First, make sure your wireless router is unobstructed, and that no one else in the house is online hogging all the bandwidth, whether they're Snapchatting or streaming. Let your device focus on the test by closing all open web pages in your browser, and pausing or cancelling any in-progress downloads or updates. Most testing apps will automatically figure out your location and connection time, but if not, you may have to type in this info. Once you've got that down and de-stressed your WiFi, you're ready to let the speed test do its thing.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "e48654ca485a24e71d91c2b46d", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "2d596405b18b6205b01dc5f6c9", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>More WiFi Testing Tips</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Just about everything in your house has a browser, so run the test on your laptop, iPad, gaming consoles, or any other device you use frequently. That way, you'll find out if any speed disparities are device-based. Try different locations, too, as speed may vary based on the distance you are from your router. Lastly, always run tests at different times of day to account for fluctuations; Internet rush hour is real—WiFi typically runs more slowly between 5:00 and 10:00 p.m. If you still question the results, it doesn't hurt to try alternative free tests, such as&nbsp;OOKLA's own&nbsp;<a data-link-type=\"external\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.speedtest.net/apps/mobile\">mobile apps</a>.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "f4c61e625582d39948601056d0", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } } ] }, { "id" : "column2", "components" : [ { "id" : "59bc8c2b094173ad539be629d8", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.shopStory", "data" : { "navHeadline" : "RELATED PRODUCTS", "bgColor" : "Transparent", "swipeMobile" : false, "theme" : "Dark Text", "useCustomBgColor" : false }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "60223539de1bd131f090cbe0bc", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "MR5500", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } }, { "id" : "c8d51369015576f6ce9b95a0e4", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "MX2002", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } }, { "id" : "910d59aed5318efb801acd943f", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "MR7500", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] }
{ "id" : "multiple-wifi-bands-difference", "name" : "Single-Band, Dual-Band, and Tri-Band WiFi Routers. What's the Difference?", "type_id" : "resourceArticle", "data" : { "articleImage" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/multiple-wifi-bands-difference/Home_CLP_Resource2_Router-Difference_Image_1000x750.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "articleTitleOverride" : "Single-Band, Dual-Band, and Tri-Band WiFi Routers. What's the Difference?", "alt" : "Boy using tablet", "articleDescOverride" : "Though \"more is better\" is easy enough for some comparisons, the world of WiFi is a bit more nuanced when it comes to meeting your specific needs." }, "custom" : { "articleImage" : "https://www.linksys.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-Linksys-Shared-Library/default/dwae93200e/images/Articles/multiple-wifi-bands-difference/Home_CLP_Resource2_Router-Difference_Image_1000x750.jpg", "articleImageAlt" : "Boy using tablet", "articleTitle" : "Single-Band, Dual-Band, and Tri-Band WiFi Routers. What's the Difference?", "articleDesc" : "Though \"more is better\" is easy enough for some comparisons, the world of WiFi is a bit more nuanced when it comes to meeting your specific needs.", "articleURL" : "https://www.linksys.com/multiple-wifi-bands-difference.html" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "main", "components" : [ { "id" : "44378cde15635b0822ed165dfd", "name" : "Breadcrumbs", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.breadcrumbs", "data" : { "border" : true, "lvl1Link" : "https://www.linksys.com/resource-center.html", "lvl2Text" : "Single-Band, Dual-Band, and Tri-Band WiFi Routers. What's the Difference?", "lvl1Text" : "Resource Center" } }, { "id" : "590a77a381519c8bbe7025c704", "name" : "Article Main", "type_id" : "commerce_layouts.article2Col", "data" : { "layoutOptions" : "75% | 25%", "fullWidth" : false, "orderMobile" : "Col 1 First, Col 2 Second", "borderBetween" : "Include Border" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "d4ea8d7770c5f8f197a05d3cb2", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h1>Single-Band, Dual-Band, and Tri-Band WiFi Routers. What's the Difference?</h1>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 2", "theme" : "Dark Text" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "82bf14d5270ef909a4f9b1539b", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/multiple-wifi-bands-difference/wifi-band-difference.png", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 953, "width" : 1430 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "Multiple Wi-Fi Bands Difference " } }, { "id" : "a1e16dcf7924caefe44f297f7d", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "1c4c79518d68b2d0ee5f3a47e4", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Comparing single-, dual-, and tri-band routers isn't as easy as comparing a single-patty hamburger with a triple-decker. Though \"more is better\" is easy enough for some comparisons, the world of WiFi is a bit more nuanced when it comes to meeting your specific needs.</p><p><br></p><p>So let's talk about bands. Once you plug your network cable into a WiFi router, the radio waves that wirelessly transmit an Internet signal to your iPhone or Xbox travel on one of two frequency bands: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. It's these different frequencies that separate a single-band router from a dual-band, and makes tri-band routers distinct from both. But the WiFi rabbit hole goes even deeper still.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "1c6b4eb4f0c08200422517f52a", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "84bfebfe2abc4b28b9af6245cb", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Single-Band Routers: Affordable, but Limited</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Way back in 1999, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) introduced the idea of wireless standards—that's what those \"802.11\" numbers that you see on your WiFi-enabled gear represent. These standards are basically rule books that make sure routers and online devices are on the same page, ensuring that your Roku plays just as nicely with your router as your tablet does.</p><p><br></p><p>A single-band router is limited to, as you might've guessed, just one frequency band—the 2.4 GHz frequency band, to be exact. Older, single-band routers operate on the 802.11g standard (introduced in 2003), which caps data speeds at 54 Mbps. The iPhone 3G and 3Gs use this standard, for instance.</p><p><br></p><p>More likely, though, a single-band router operates on the (somewhat) newer 802.11n standard, also known as \"Wireless-N.\" Wireless-N routers on a 2.4 GHz band offer theoretical speeds of up to 800 Mbps—\"theoretical\" meaning that you'll probably never see these speeds during day-to-day use, given real-world factors such as your Internet service limitations.</p><p><br></p><p>Though single-band, 2.4 GHz routers are accessible and low-priced, they come with a fair share of drawbacks, given the natural progression of WiFi tech. It breaks down something like this:</p><p><br></p><p><em>Single-Band Pros</em></p><ul><li>Low purchase price</li><li>Compatibility with almost all devices, as multi-band devices typically support 2.4 GHz connections (but not vice versa)</li><li>Lower frequency is better at penetrating obstacles such as walls, doors, furniture, etc.</li></ul><p><em>Single-Band Cons</em></p><ul><li>Lower maximum speeds than multi-band alternatives</li><li>Given the age and ubiquity of 2.4 GHz devices, you'll likely experience lots of signal interference, which can reduce WiFi speed and stability</li><li>Single-band routers won't include modern features, like app-based monitoring or device prioritization&nbsp;</li></ul>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "fa5b9316d3fb782ef44cb9ee9e", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "d0c3c7c275deb73e49983aa9cc", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h1>Dual-Band Routers: A Smart Middle Ground</h1>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>In addition to supporting the 2.4 GHz Wireless-N standard, dual-band routers support the 5 GHz frequency band, operating on the newer 802.11ac standard. At their theoretical best, that means they support aggregate speeds up to 2,167 Mbps or more.</p><p><br></p><p>For most households, 5 GHz connectivity is what makes these routers really shine. Imagine that the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands are freeways, and each of the WiFi networks in your router's vicinity are semi-trucks. Having been around for more than a decade, there are a whole lot of 2.4 GHz semi-trucks out there, and that makes for speed-clogging traffic jams. On the other hand, the 5 GHz freeway is fairly open because it’s newer, making for a faster, more stable connection. This is especially crucial if you live in a well-populated city or a big apartment building.</p><p><br></p><p>Some dual-band routers also pack perks that you won't find on older models. For instance, many support MU-MIMO technology, which improves the way your WiFi interacts with multiple devices. Routers without MU-MIMO can pay attention to only a single device at once—you can still use multiple devices, but imagine your router is on a lazy Susan, sending data to your smart TV, your gaming console, and your laptop in turn as the platter spins. The more devices you have, the less data they're going to catch, so to speak.</p><p><br></p><p>In contrast, MU-MIMO maintains a constant connection to multiple devices simultaneously, so even when you're streaming Spotify while your kids are playing&nbsp;Splatoon&nbsp;in the next room, the Internet connection runs smoothly.</p><p><br></p><p><em>Dual-Band Pros</em></p><ul><li>Being the current market standard, dual-band routers might surpass their single-band cousins in cost, but they still sport entry-level prices</li><li>With more modern hardware, dual-band routers offer more range and stability than singe-band routers</li><li>Compatibility with recent 5 GHz-friendly devices, such as the Google Pixel,&nbsp;iPhone 7,&nbsp;and PlayStation 4 Pro</li><li>Twice the bandwidth of single-band routers (or more)</li></ul><p><em>Dual-Band Cons</em></p><ul><li>Though you're much more likely to experience interference on the 2.4 GHz band, the 5 GHz band will continue to become more populated over time</li><li>Speeds are impacted by the amount of connected devices using WiFi at once</li><li>5 GHz has a shorter range than 2.4 GHz in environments with lots of obstacles such as walls, doors, furniture, etc.</li></ul>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "613fa1ace77eed765ab32df018", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "ca7e0681c4bdca8488c1b112fb", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h1>Tri-Band Routers: Future Proofing for Power Users</h1>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Right off the bat, tri-band routers—which just hit the scene a few years ago—are capable of multiple Gigabit speeds, up to 2166 Mbps on each 5 GHz band. And here's where the \"tri\" in \"tri-band\" comes into play: They feature one 2.4 GHz band and&nbsp;two&nbsp;5 GHz bands.</p><p><br></p><p>With two radio freeways for your 5 GHz data to travel on, tri-band routers reduce signal interference even more than dual-band devices. Using automated features like Linksys Smart Connect, tri-band routers \"steer\" devices to the optimal 5 GHz band (or the applicable 2.4 GHz band, for older devices). It's kind of like adding an extra lane to the interstate, or a bike lane to downtown roads—this makes tri-brand routers a handy tool for environments with a lot of continuously connected 5 GHz devices, and a worthy investment if you're currently on the market for a new router and want to future-proof your WiFi for at least a few years.</p><p><br></p><p><em>Tri-Band Pros</em></p><ul><li>More connected devices are less likely to negatively affect WiFi speeds</li><li>Three separate WiFi bands means three times the bandwidth</li><li>You can dedicate each band to devices in the home or office</li><li>More bands equals less interference</li><li>High CPU speeds make faster file transfers and smoother handling of multiple WiFi-connected devices&nbsp;</li></ul><p><em>Tri-Band Cons</em></p><ul><li>Significantly higher cost than dual-band models</li><li>If you don't have a lot of 5 GHz-compatible WiFi devices, the upgrade might not be too noticeable</li></ul><p>Take note of that last bit—if you're in a studio apartment rocking a laptop, a smartphone, and a gaming console, sticking with your dual-band router is probably a safe bet. But if you plan on Netflix-ing 4K movies downstairs while your spouse streams recipe videos from a tablet in the kitchen, your kid's Pandora station never stops, and your guest harbors a World of Warcraft addiction, it might just be time to add that third traffic lane to your home's WiFi freeway.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "f650ca3277832d935528f09fad", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } } ] }, { "id" : "column2", "components" : [ { "id" : "7808d7640435bb3e64c845b0f8", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.shopStory", "data" : { "navHeadline" : "RELATED PRODUCTS", "bgColor" : "Transparent", "swipeMobile" : false, "theme" : "Dark Text", "useCustomBgColor" : false }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "628a5709ca266b6210d11b58dc", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "MR7500", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] }
{ "id" : "what-is-a-modem", "name" : "What Is a Modem?", "type_id" : "resourceArticle", "data" : { "articleImage" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/what-is-a-modem/what-is-a-modem.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "articleTitleOverride" : "What Is a Modem?", "alt" : "WiFi diagram.", "articleDescOverride" : "On a basic level, your modem gives you access to the Web, but it can also make a huge difference in the efficiency of your home WiFi." }, "custom" : { "articleImage" : "https://www.linksys.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-Linksys-Shared-Library/default/dwecca2c0c/images/Articles/what-is-a-modem/what-is-a-modem.jpg", "articleImageAlt" : "WiFi diagram.", "articleTitle" : "What Is a Modem?", "articleDesc" : "On a basic level, your modem gives you access to the Web, but it can also make a huge difference in the efficiency of your home WiFi.", "articleURL" : "https://www.linksys.com/what-is-a-modem.html" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "main", "components" : [ { "id" : "a613ec0fdc77d76146ba74208b", "name" : "Breadcrumbs", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.breadcrumbs", "data" : { "border" : true, "lvl1Link" : "https://www.linksys.com/learn/resource-center/", "lvl2Text" : "What Is a Modem?", "lvl1Text" : "Resource Center" } }, { "id" : "74d8f110cd39ae77134cb58f9f", "name" : "Article Main", "type_id" : "commerce_layouts.article2Col", "data" : { "layoutOptions" : "75% | 25%", "fullWidth" : false, "orderMobile" : "Col 1 First, Col 2 Second", "borderBetween" : "Include Border" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "ee254f371c5bea121a24244844", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h1>What Is a Modem?</h1>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 2", "theme" : "Dark Text" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "573974ccc2a1bcc32b196b4b97", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/what-is-a-modem/what-is-a-modem.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Left", "alt" : "WiFi diagram" } }, { "id" : "927278c373ac9636342dc6f600", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "0098a8035cab9d53b54e06cfb2", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Nowadays, we don’t just use the Internet, we rely on it. When the connection is slow—or worse, nonexistent—your whole day could be ruined. But have you ever stopped to think about how that connection works? From WiFi router to mobile devices, the components that make up your home network all speak different digital languages, but your modem is the translator. It takes the signals that come from your Internet Service Provider, or ISP, and translates them into an Internet connection for your WiFi router to broadcast. On a basic level, your modem gives you access to the Web, but it can also make a huge difference in the efficiency of your home WiFi.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "790914962c7e241e4ff7e22368", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "6cd74d9516f6d2c3d83f26ff21", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>How a Modem Works</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "c8190375e918781836f49d47d8", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/what-is-a-modem/linksys-li-CM3024-2.jpeg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 168, "width" : 600 } }, "photoAlign" : "Left", "alt" : "An image describing the role your modem plays in connecting you to the internet." } }, { "id" : "05a9e8a8234da0ef0d91b9fdeb", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2><br></h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>The modem receives information from your ISP through the phone lines, optical fiber, or coaxial cable in your home (depending on your service provider) and converts it into a digital signal. The router’s job is to push this signal out to connected devices, either through wired Ethernet cables or WiFi, so that all of your devices can hop on board and access the Internet. Your router and ISP can’t communicate directly because they speak different languages—or rather, they transmit different signal types—which is why the modem’s role as a translator is so important.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "0a0f462de2fdc71e91c3612004", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "3918a44af5fa84727f0df24f37", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Why You Should Buy Your Own Modem</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Your ISP will provide you with a modem when you sign up for their services, but this modem is not free. It's being rented to you at up to $10 each month, with the cost often buried in the myriad of charges listed on your bill.</p><p><br></p><p>Over the course of a year, this fee can add up to over $120—more expensive than buying a modem of your own. If you use the same ISP from one year to the next, you’ll not only recoup the cost of buying a modem, but save yourself a pretty penny in future rental fees, too.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "0288613b3877f785c39cbcb78b", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "3c5653e08621b45b5eb001aa6c", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Cable, DSL, or Fiber</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "90802896ea6087b0032873043e", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/what-is-a-modem/CableModem_English (1).png", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 184, "width" : 660 } }, "photoAlign" : "Left", "alt" : "An explanation of the how different connection types impact internet speed." } }, { "id" : "8363fcafaaa59f5d90e1c20771", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "d2b4635c808bb6ce7dd0d7d0d6", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>There are three kinds of modems—Cable, DSL, and Fiber—that operate via different cable mediums depending on your Internet Service Provider (ISP). Cable modems are most prevalent in retail, but you won’t find Fiber-based products in stores—services like Verizon FiOS and AT&amp;T U-verse require consumers to use unique devices for their respective services. When purchasing a cable or DSL modem, be sure to choose the appropriate type of modem for your service, and be sure that it’s compatible with the download and upload speeds you subscribe to from your ISP. If your modem can’t support the speed of your service, it will create a bottleneck, resulting in a slow or spotty connection. This is a nuisance for any WiFi user, but it’s especially frustrating for streamers or gamers, who rely on a steady WiFi connection.</p><p><br></p><p>Download (or downstream) speed denotes how fast data comes into your home when you’re doing things like streaming movies from Netflix. Upload (or upstream) speed represents how fast you can send data to Internet services, like when you upload photos to Facebook. ISPs may list the download and upload speeds as two numbers, such as 300/20 Megabits per second (Mbps). The download speed is always the larger number, and is usually listed first—in some cases, it is the only number listed.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "36282b06ac27cbe2ff86fad799", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { } }, { "id" : "e633a7647a70d37bcaea3190e4", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Better Modem Technology</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Unfortunately, ISPs don’t often rent out the most updated modems. In fact, a recent survey of 1,000 U.S. households found that the majority of Americans with cable modems had no idea whether or not their modems were sufficient for their broadband speed or not.</p><p><br></p><p>Buying your own modem gives you the opportunity to use the latest, most efficient technology. Let’s say you upgraded to a higher-speed connection from your ISP but your YouTube videos are still choppy. An updated modem that’s on par with your broadband service and WiFi router will ensure you get the faster network speeds you’re paying for.</p><p><br></p><p>If you're also in the market for a new WiFi router, consider a modem-router combo. These routers integrate a modem into one convenient device, so you have fewer cables to worry about. Modem-routers also offer an intuitive user interface, which lets you manage your net work—including security settings and device prioritizing—from anywhere.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "0c56915f38994631d1ae510f75", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } } ] }, { "id" : "column2" } ] } ] } ] }
{ "id" : "wifi-router", "name" : "What is a WiFi Router or Wireless Router?", "type_id" : "resourceArticle", "data" : { "articleImage" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/wifi-router/what-is-a-wifi-router.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "articleTitleOverride" : "What Is a WiFi Router or Wireless Router?", "alt" : "Illustration of a WiFi router.", "articleDescOverride" : "Whether you're powering through an online battlefield on Xbox Live or chatting with a friend over Skype, your WiFi router is the gatekeeper to your wireless connection." }, "custom" : { "articleImage" : "https://www.linksys.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-Linksys-Shared-Library/default/dw5188e350/images/Articles/wifi-router/what-is-a-wifi-router.jpg", "articleImageAlt" : "Illustration of a WiFi router.", "articleTitle" : "What Is a WiFi Router or Wireless Router?", "articleDesc" : "Whether you're powering through an online battlefield on Xbox Live or chatting with a friend over Skype, your WiFi router is the gatekeeper to your wireless connection.", "articleURL" : "https://www.linksys.com/wifi-router.html" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "main", "components" : [ { "id" : "14115cfa341559c8302f0c6379", "name" : "Breadcrumbs", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.breadcrumbs", "data" : { "border" : true, "lvl1Link" : "https://www.linksys.com/resource-center.html", "lvl2Text" : "What Is a WiFi Router or Wireless Router?", "lvl1Text" : "Resource Center" } }, { "id" : "7ae97f57f7dd5b538c7e7cad96", "name" : "Article Main", "type_id" : "commerce_layouts.article2Col", "data" : { "layoutOptions" : "75% | 25%", "fullWidth" : false, "orderMobile" : "Col 1 First, Col 2 Second", "borderBetween" : "Include Border" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "0f7feab277c0e2bf89fbaaf1db", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "0", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h1>What Is a WiFi Router or Wireless Router?</h1>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 2", "theme" : "Dark Text" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns", "components" : [ { "id" : "3cc4e9371208e4eaa8ab5399c2", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/wifi-router/what-is-a-wifi-router.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "WiFi Router illustration" } }, { "id" : "8a8c40b56575706657f8a77f46", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { } }, { "id" : "13516117dd84a637ed16873713", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { } } ] } ] }, { "id" : "0cec2d77da276172be3e84b25c", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "7505bb6e6f57cd814737c98003", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Whether you're powering through an online battlefield on Xbox Live or chatting with a friend over Skype, your WiFi router is the gatekeeper to your wireless connection. It takes the wired Internet connection coming from your modem and transforms it into a wireless signal.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "c2c6ca9b2b3e4ce1aa0bd2d497", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "83041946da60e473684aed4f55", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Is Your Router Out of Date?</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Most households have <a data-category-catalog-id=\"storefront-linksysUS\" data-category-id=\"wifi-routers\" data-link-label=\"WiFi Routers\" data-link-type=\"category\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https://www.linksys.com/shop/shop-home/wifi-routers/\">wireless routers</a> that are a few years old. With each passing year, more connected devices join your home WiFi network, putting more stress on that outdated router. It’s important to know what to look for in getting the best wifi router for your home, because like most people, you’re probably due for an upgrade. In fact, you should replace your router every two years to stay current with advances in wireless technology.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "345857862daf25b2cd444efb3d", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "d376ac2ffe8f2cebd664791d57", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Single, Dual, and Tri-Band WiFi Routers</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns", "components" : [ { "id" : "60208c0cdcbe3a302f29ffd41d", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/wifi-router/linksys-li-EA9300-2.png", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 400, "width" : 640 } }, "photoAlign" : "Left", "alt" : "Single, Dual, and Tri-Band Wi-Fi Routers." } }, { "id" : "471a78bd2cdaea9a27c9565776", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "38f76b7f98114ab0db2ec3c261", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { } } ] } ] }, { "id" : "1e9a1009c85cc7bf1502928422", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "a2bd4006f2c5c4190c613ec44f", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>WiFi travels through your router on radio bands that act like invisible highways. Each band is a different lane, keeping data on separate routes to avoid congestion. Because certain devices demand more bandwidth than others, your router’s efficiency depends on the number of bands it has—single, dual, or tri-band. A three lane highway (or tri-band router) has one 2.4 GHz and two 5 GHz channels to support more simultaneous users—a huge plus for families, who average eight devices per household and have high bandwidth activities.</p><p><br></p><p>How you use your wireless router also helps determine what router best suits you. For instance, a tri-band router is a great choice if you're a movie streaming buff with a number of TVs, you have a gamer in the house, or you work at home and want your own dedicated band. On the flip side, if you’re a light Internet user who primarily emails or browses Facebook, a dual-band router will work just fine.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "d4e998846d7c79037cb028a06a", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "70e670bad2bc28df4b55f6dc36", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Understanding WiFi Standards: Wireless-N (WiFi 4) to Next-Gen AC (WiFi 5)</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Routers lead the pack when it comes to deploying the latest WiFi standards, and their client devices (your phone or tablet, for example) typically start incorporating the new technology six to twelve months later. For this reason, it’s best to future proof your home wireless network with the most current standards to make sure it can support the hottest products when they hit the market.</p><p><br></p><p>In 1999, Linksys pioneered WiFi technology with the release of the WRT54G router, but since then, WiFi standards have undergone a complex evolution.</p><p><br></p><p>In 2012, WiFi significantly improved with the emergence of the 802.11ac or WiFi 5 standard, which packed almost triple the speed of its predecessor, 802.11n.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "84a587989cf8c972ee3cacdac9", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "3e02d2bec966f3059b1307082e", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "16", "spacerSize" : "16" } }, { "id" : "478be4ea4fd4348a4079c4febf", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Features to Consider When Shopping for the Best WiFi Router</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p><strong>Router Speed:</strong></p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns", "components" : [ { "id" : "2fbbbf52c0ae10e2f68dac9617", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/wifi-router/linksys-li-WRT3200ACM-4.png", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 371, "width" : 650 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "An image showing the difference of internet speed." } } ] } ] }, { "id" : "0fc7402bd709b4e462f777dd17", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "6ce11a29c81fe4c14074710894", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Today's high-performing devices demand speed, and plenty of it. Without sufficient speeds, your HD movies won’t have crisp resolution, and your games will pause due to buffering. Thankfully, the best wifi routers have become much faster in recent years:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>Routers using the 802.11n standard released in 2007 transmit about 450 megabits per second (Mbps).</li><li>With the introduction of 802.11ac in 2012, WiFi was sped up considerably, running as fast as 1300 Mbps on the 5GHz band.</li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>Antennas:</strong></p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns", "components" : [ { "id" : "2762586c0eb10dc3f1fa06ead6", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] } ] } ] }, { "id" : "56d7986c6e7d2385f46d530183", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/wifi-router/linksys-li-WRT004ANT-1.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 500, "width" : 982 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "An image showing Wi-Fi antennas." } }, { "id" : "c2dc452d81147ea1e4b361cdac", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>When comparing routers, you'll see that some models have antennas protruding from the case, while others do not. Routers with internal antennas look more elegant on a bookcase or table, but those with external antennas can give you stronger signals. If you have multiple antennas, you can adjust them to better deliver coverage to each floor of your home, from the basement to the upstairs bedrooms.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Network Management Apps:</strong></p><p>Some routers come equipped with mobile app compatibility, allowing you to remotely check in on your home Wifi network settings. From your smartphone or tablet, you can prioritize WiFi between devices, monitor your speeds, restrict sensitive content from the kids, or access home security cameras while you're at work.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>QoS (or Media Prioritization):</strong></p><p>Quality of Service or QoS is a feature found in advanced routers that gives you the ability to prioritize certain kinds of WiFi traffic. With so many connected devices in your home like smart plugs, mobile smart phones and notebook computers, your wireless signal can get stretched thin. By utilizing the QoS feature in your router, you can ensure the router will allocate the appropriate bandwidth to your favorite devices.[1] For example, you can set the QoS option in the router's admin panel to give priority to online games or video streaming. This means that if someone downloads a file while you're playing an online game, your game won’t lag because it’s been assigned first priority.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Beamforming:</strong></p><p>Beamforming is another advanced option on modern routers that can significantly improve signal strength and speed. Beamforming (or spatial filtering) gives the router the ability to focus the signal toward specific devices in your home instead of blanketing the entire home with the same signal strength. The router finds the location of your device to determine where to focus the WiFi signal.[2] Beamforming increases WiFi signal speed and strength, improving your overall connected experience. Not all WiFi routers support Beamforming, so do review the specifications to ensure this feature is included.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Ethernet Ports:</strong></p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns", "components" : [ { "id" : "52527162376fcfcd118816469b", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { } } ] } ] }, { "id" : "bb243ef9d2d16814654da558e7", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/wifi-router/linksys-li-EA9500-3.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 415, "width" : 982 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "An image of a Wi-Fi router. " } }, { "id" : "635bef9a7c2c846b4afffae9d7", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>WiFi routers aren't limited to wireless connections, they also have Ethernet ports, which can connect your computer or other devices to your home network with an Ethernet cable. An Ethernet port and cable look like a common telephone cable, but with wider ports and connectors.[3] When would you want to use the Ethernet port on your WiFi router? You can free-up your WiFi bandwidth for other truly wireless devices like your notebook computer, smart phone, or tablet, which travel from place to place with you as you move about your home. Think about those devices that are not portable as possible candidates for hardwiring to the Ethernet port. This could include your desktop PC, game console, cable TV console or a smart TV. To do that, simply plug your device directly into the router using an Ethernet port and cable. Older routers with Fast Ethernet support speeds up to 100 Mbps, but modern routers support Gigabit Ethernet, which is ten times faster at 1000 Mbps.</p><p><br></p><p><strong>eSata:</strong></p><p><br></p><p>When it comes to transferring large amounts of data, the need for speed often surpasses even Ethernet’s capabilities. Transferring a terabyte of backup files from an external drive, for example, can take more than two and a half hours at 1000 Mbps. This is where eSATA external drives come in handy. eSATA stands for External Serial Advanced Technology Attachment, which allows an eSATA external hard drive to transfer data much faster than Ethernet or WiFi.[4] Routers that support eSATA hard drives give you the option to connect your external storage device directly to the router, making backups accessible to everyone in your home at speeds up to 6 Gbps—much faster than using USB 2.0 or Firewire.&nbsp;</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "d4ccf8e4f4093cdde8224b7f92", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "19a183128a2b41162ad453771e", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Placing Your Wireless Router</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>To ensure your devices are getting the most out of those WiFi signals, place your router in a central, elevated position, like a desktop or a shelf. Avoid thick concrete walls, metal objects, and HVAC equipment wherever possible, and keep the space clutter-free—large objects and other electronics inhibit the router's range. If you have a large home with a lot of square feet where devices stray far from the router, consider adding a <a data-category-catalog-id=\"storefront-linksysUS\" data-category-id=\"wifi-range-extenders\" data-link-label=\"WiFi Range Extenders\" data-link-type=\"category\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https://www.linksys.com/search?cgid=wifi-range-extenders\">WiFi extender</a>&nbsp;to amplify your signal across a long range.</p><p><br></p><p>If you still aren't getting the speeds you’re looking for, your Internet package may be the culprit. There's no point investing in upgraded home WiFi networking equipment like routers and modems if your broadband speed isn't up to par.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "bd1635c2a557fc3a40330109dd", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } } ] }, { "id" : "column2", "components" : [ { "id" : "1f765dca6012d5a45113d750c0", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.shopStory", "data" : { "navHeadline" : "RELATED PRODUCTS", "bgColor" : "Transparent", "swipeMobile" : false, "theme" : "Dark Text", "useCustomBgColor" : false }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "3bce68a9ef9fc7b3389432eb28", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "MR5500", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } } ] } ] }, { "id" : "a47bc0ee84d55e33dd92803f59", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "MX2001", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } }, { "id" : "4ea9d4394cb7dd204d33ffd6c0", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "MR7500", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } }, { "id" : "880e6a09dadde770faa8b3449e", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "MR7500", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } } ] } ] }, { "id" : "002848729832d4dbbd4f4a8e95", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } } ] } ] }
{ "id" : "what-is-ax", "name" : "What is AX?", "type_id" : "resourceArticle", "data" : { "articleImage" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/what-is-ax/what-is-ax.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "articleTitleOverride" : "What Is AX?", "alt" : "Women working on laptop.", "articleDescOverride" : "A new WiFi standard is here: 802.11ax, that focuses on improving WiFi performance in environments with a high amount of data traffic and overlapping networks." }, "custom" : { "articleImage" : "https://www.linksys.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-Linksys-Shared-Library/default/dwcb6eacb2/images/Articles/what-is-ax/what-is-ax.jpg", "articleImageAlt" : "Women working on laptop.", "articleTitle" : "What Is AX?", "articleDesc" : "A new WiFi standard is here: 802.11ax, that focuses on improving WiFi performance in environments with a high amount of data traffic and overlapping networks.", "articleURL" : "https://www.linksys.com/what-is-ax.html" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "main", "components" : [ { "id" : "4626fab79a0e5635ebff10e2ad", "name" : "Breadcrumbs", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.breadcrumbs", "data" : { "border" : true, "lvl1Link" : "https://www.linksys.com/resource-center.html", "lvl2Text" : "What Is AX?", "lvl1Text" : "Resource Center" } }, { "id" : "cf3c39f12cadb2d0d45280b2f6", "name" : "Article Main", "type_id" : "commerce_layouts.article2Col", "data" : { "layoutOptions" : "75% | 25%", "fullWidth" : false, "orderMobile" : "Col 1 First, Col 2 Second", "borderBetween" : "Include Border" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "b8cd87c39bd85fb58ae4945014", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h1>What Is AX?</h1>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 2", "theme" : "Dark Text" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "60915d17a0f8fc4d96cd3236c4", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/what-is-ax/what-is-ax.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "People attending a workshop or meeting. " } }, { "id" : "191ce690a79be45e9d57c2b5d0", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "fa2e2eced154df2644bf5a13e3", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>In the almost two decades since the first 802.11&nbsp;wireless standards were introduced,&nbsp;five general-purpose WiFi standards have emerged:&nbsp;802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, and 802.11ac. With each new standard, progressively faster WiFi speeds were introduced. Now a new standard is here, dubbed 802.11ax (11AX), that focuses on improving WiFi performance in environments with a high amount of data traffic and overlapping networks.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "3904f043ca756a79015b7fd861", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "763e1b996abd9184e90a03863e", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Increasing Speed and Capacity</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>If you've ever tried to access WiFi at a concert or in an airport, you're already aware of the limitations of WiFi in particularly dense environments.&nbsp;Essentially, an overabundance of users trying to pull a wireless signal simultaneously creates too much stress on the network, resulting in decreased performance and signal instability. 11AX tackles this issue, offering a better system for routing the data where it needs to go.</p><p><br></p><p>The focus of previous wireless standards was mainly to achieve maximum theoretical speed. Building upon the most recent wireless standard, 802.11ac,&nbsp;which broadened multi-antenna capabilities through multiple input multiple output (or MIMO), 11AX&nbsp;further divides the frequency band into multiple channels using a technology called OFDMA (or \"Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access\").&nbsp;As a result, 11AX can significantly increase wireless speeds and better manage network capacity, especially with heavy traffic and overlapping networks.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "7c82b1de0c80612d6e572cfeac", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "4f46eb7c2bcd292c488cd82228", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>How Fast Is 11AX?</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Comparatively speaking, the maximum speed of a single 802.11ac stream is roughly 866Mbps, whereas a single stream of 802.11ax is 1.2Gbps (that's&nbsp;gigabits). That means streaming Ultra-HD 4K video with zero lag, downloading entire software packages in the blink of an eye, and incorporating an entire family of smart devices.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The speeds you'll realize, of course, depend on the network and the equipment set up on it. A large, enterprise network in a massive corporation – on that has an already-powerful signal already – will naturally see much higher speeds than those networks typically found in less dense residential or small business environments. Either way you deal it, though, you'll notice an increase of about four times the current signal, which amounts to a significant bump in total network capacity.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">The bottom line on speed? In addition to improving efficiency and coverage, 11AX is engineered to increase capacity of both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands in a variety of environments, from homes to schools, businesses to airports, stadiums, and more. It doesn’t really matter what you’re starting with; garnering a connection that’s four times your current speed is going to make a noticeable difference in your online experience.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "b87ec5822cb90d3ff696162809", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "292d925e09aed5fc0edc30c1af", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>How Efficient Is 11AX?</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Speed isn't the only factor, however. 11AX is also focused on implementing mechanisms that serve a consistent and reliable stream of data to more users. That means an increase in efficiency and on maintaining connections, even when network congestion is heavy. The key issue here that 11AX addresses is interference. As more devices become connected in densely covered areas, congestion significantly slows the network. Users might experience co-channel interference, a degradation of performance, and none of the expected gain from wider channels. The 11AX standard operates on both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, preserving existing channel bandwidths and prioritizing network capacity and how data is transferred to multiple devices.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">11AX also supports Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (or OFDMA),&nbsp;a technology designed to improve the capacity of mobile LTE networks. In its current application, every time a router sends information to a device, it uses all the bandwidth in the channel, regardless of the type of data or how much information is actively being transmitted. With OFDMA, these channels can be split up, thus increasing the amount of data that can be sent and received simultaneously. Additionally, the new 11AX standard allows you to schedule “awake” times when communication is permitted (thus reducing power load). It supports&nbsp;1024QAM encoding, which means that more information bits can be transmitted per symbol (or pulse)&nbsp;and it also supports long OFDM symbols for greater channel bandwidth and less interference.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "d6c3bb61a27dcbbec79fcb07f8", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "3620d04a3c0b2524acf2fcb085", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Features and Benefits of 11AX</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Most WiFi users understand that a multitude of connected devices strains a network, causing bottlenecks, slowdowns, buffering, and drop-outs. The new standard, which is also called High-Efficiency Wireless (HEW), provides the next level of WiFi management. But how does 11AX compare to its predecessors, and how will it deliver the WiFi network of the future? The standard includes the following key features:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>Backwards compatibility with previous wireless standards (802.11a/b/g/n/ac)</li><li>Operation on both the 5GHz and the 2.4GHz bands (instead of one or the other, as in previous standards)</li><li>2/5/10MHz channel width for longer range than 20MHz</li><li>Increased throughput and efficiency</li><li style=\"margin-left: 1em;\">1.5 times faster than 802.11ac</li><li style=\"margin-left: 1em;\">Up to 3.8 times faster than 2.4GHz on 802.11n</li><li style=\"margin-left: 1em;\">More throughput in high density outdoor (like sports stadiums) or indoor (movie theater) environments</li><li style=\"margin-left: 1em;\">Up to eight times faster than non-MU-MIMO products thanks to up link and down line (DL/UL) MU-MIMO</li><li>20 percent&nbsp;more airtime from the router, which means more data can be transferred</li><li>Improved traffic flow and channel access</li><li>Better power management for longer battery life</li><li>BSS coloring – in other words, each network in a multi-network location is assigned a color so it’s easier to differentiate – means each AP can avoid the interference when they see each other APs in the different color</li></ul>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "7fbbcc77755213ffcf6376d108", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "3116f57e8543dbd007e17b42f5", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Putting It into Action</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p style=\"text-align: justify;\">Because it improves the average data throughput per user, the 11AX wireless standard is best for high density environments such as apartments, condominiums, multi-dwelling buildings, and campuses. When multiple users’ devices are connected to the same network, they're forced to compete for available resources and transmit data sequentially, one at a time. Thanks to 11AX, multiple devices can simultaneously transmit data, using the same radio frequency and the same network.&nbsp;</p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\"><br></p><p style=\"text-align: justify;\">When it comes to 11AX, it’s not just bumping the speed of the network itself. It’s improving performance and solving the problems caused by overcrowded, congested WiFi networks. If your WiFi already feels slow, even when you know your Internet connection is more than adequate, 11AX can be a critical upgrade.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "b27870c40f701cf5662be9cf73", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "358f4845fd0fca4fe04c9c2321", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>References</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<ul><li><a href=\"https://www.lifewire.com/wireless-standards-802-11a-802-11b-g-n-and-802-11ac-816553\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"LifeWire: Wireless Standards 802.11a, 802.11b/g/n, and 802.11ac\">LifeWire: Wireless Standards 802.11a, 802.11b/g/n, and 802.11ac</a></li><li><a href=\"https://www.extremetech.com/computing/184685-what-is-802-11ax-wifi-and-do-you-really-need-a-10gbps-connection-to-your-laptop\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"Extreme Tech: What is 802.11ax Wi-Fi, and Will it Really Deliver 10Gbps?\">Extreme Tech: What is 802.11ax Wi-Fi, and Will it Really Deliver 10Gbps?</a></li></ul>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "e3a85ed4f9752b0d4b4227c80e", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } } ] }, { "id" : "column2", "components" : [ { "id" : "adb6c1b685ff3509642b9dde07", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.shopStory", "data" : { "navHeadline" : "RELATED PRODUCTS", "bgColor" : "Transparent", "swipeMobile" : false, "theme" : "Dark Text", "useCustomBgColor" : false }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "be4f9ec6d5463ece29efe3dca3", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "MX12600", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } }, { "id" : "2d264b006c28ba9392c73ae246", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "MR20EC", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] }
{ "id" : "whole-home-mesh-wifi", "name" : "What Is Whole Home Wifi and Mesh WiFi?", "type_id" : "resourceArticle", "data" : { "articleImage" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/whole-home-mesh-wifi/Home_CLP_Resource1_Whole-Home-WiFi_Image_1000x750.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "articleTitleOverride" : "What Is Whole Home WiFi and Mesh WiFi?", "alt" : "Illustration of Whole Home WiFi and Mesh WiFi", "articleDescOverride" : "Whole Home WiFi systems consist of a main router that connects directly to your modem, and a series of satellite modules, or nodes, placed around your house for full WiFi coverage." }, "custom" : { "articleImage" : "https://www.linksys.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-Linksys-Shared-Library/default/dwd92369ba/images/Articles/whole-home-mesh-wifi/Home_CLP_Resource1_Whole-Home-WiFi_Image_1000x750.jpg", "articleImageAlt" : "Illustration of Whole Home WiFi and Mesh WiFi", "articleTitle" : "What Is Whole Home WiFi and Mesh WiFi?", "articleDesc" : "Whole Home WiFi systems consist of a main router that connects directly to your modem, and a series of satellite modules, or nodes, placed around your house for full WiFi coverage.", "articleURL" : "https://www.linksys.com/whole-home-mesh-wifi.html" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "main", "components" : [ { "id" : "6afc870dec3b20d784bc31ffa8", "name" : "Breadcrumbs", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.breadcrumbs", "data" : { "border" : true, "lvl1Link" : "https://www.linksys.com/resource-center.html", "lvl2Text" : "What Is Whole Home WiFi and Mesh WiFi?", "lvl1Text" : "Resource Center" } }, { "id" : "44dea94c02713472bd68f58235", "name" : "Article Main", "type_id" : "commerce_layouts.article2Col", "data" : { "layoutOptions" : "75% | 25%", "fullWidth" : false, "orderMobile" : "Col 1 First, Col 2 Second", "borderBetween" : "Include Border" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "c80224e9a4675c1ad8d2f18ab5", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "0", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h1>What Is Whole Home WiFi and Mesh WiFi?</h1>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 2", "theme" : "Dark Text" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "07c1a5a8f29eb3d2e05387a02d", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/whole-home-mesh-wifi/Home_CLP_Resource1_Whole-Home-WiFi_Image_1000x750.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "An image showing Wi-Fi in spots of home." } }, { "id" : "52ab95616acd54d93979f5d53e", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "1e1ca55f592ce5afed05198a5a", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "5ed914952449083af158938c4c", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Mesh WiFi or Whole Home WiFi systems consist of a main router that connects directly to your modem, and a series of satellite modules, or nodes, placed around your house for full WiFi coverage. They are all part of a single wireless network and share the same SSID and password, unlike traditional WiFi routers.[1]</p><p><br></p><p>Picture this: You’ve just set up your home network with the latest WiFi hardware and a 100 Mbps Internet connection. But for some reason, you still encounter buffering when you try to stream video in the bedroom. You called your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and everything checks out, so what’s the deal? Chances are, your WiFi isn’t set up efficiently for a mesh WiFi system.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "73496d583ce9e9850a09f25031", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "30a92e8f495bab14be63ab8c4c", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/whole-home-mesh-wifi/slow-wifi-obstructions.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 631, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "Image of person using laptop in home." } }, { "id" : "7e958d314f65ceb4aaa93862b6", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "a5e886e102afe31c08c42f3380", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>What’s Slowing Down Your Network?</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>The weakened signal or WiFi dead spots could be the result of physical obstructions. Simple things like the floor, doors, and walls of your home can come between you and your router, especially if they’re made of metal, brick, or concrete. Or perhaps the distance is simply too great in a large home, and your traditional router is only capable of reaching as far as the kitchen, but not to the backyard, the garage, or a distant bedroom. Interference from other devices could also be the culprit, whether it’s your microwave, cordless phone, or baby monitor. If you live in close quarters with other WiFi networks and devices—such as in an apartment complex—this problem increases tenfold. Think of it like a room full of people who are all speaking at once—nobody’s going to be heard very well.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "d3cafa09ef987e0d920baf76b1", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "bcb64a1e6056e3c493feeaced7", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/whole-home-mesh-wifi/blanket-wifi-house-signal.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 631, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "An image showing people on Wi-Fi in home. " } }, { "id" : "44f19a2b504363a1df2cb5d4b9", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "6bc0a5b538a92ee504c4f09370", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Blanketing Your Home with WiFi</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>A better solution is WiFi that works <em>with&nbsp;</em>your home design, instead of against it. Think of a standard router like a speaker. You could be playing music loudly in the front of your home, but the office in the back will only hear a faint echo. A standard router works the same way—you can only move so far from it before the signal starts to wane, and eventually it’s going to cut out altogether.</p><p><br></p><p>Instead, why not install a “speaker” in each room of the house? That’s how whole home WiFi or mesh networks work, with multiple nodes installed around your home so you’ve got solid WiFi coverage from one end to the other.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "2d4e8c62b094d086871487694b", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "509a7b34a087b97878ef917181", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/whole-home-mesh-wifi/modular-expansion-wifi (1).jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 631, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "An image showing wife spots located in home." } }, { "id" : "f13706bb4f35fe940112a277d1", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Modular Expansion</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>A modular mesh whole home WiFi system is flexible and scalable, giving you a customizable method of expanding your WiFi without the need to add range extenders, which have performance and ease-of-use issues. It’s just like installing lighting fixtures to illuminate your home;&nbsp;you&nbsp;can place your nodes anywhere in your home. You choose which rooms need the coverage, and when it’s time to add more to extend the signal even further.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "655e55429dcbb45b220743d9cd", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "4354f55bb94aa4eb7c7f32b1e5", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Easy Guided Set Up and Management</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Most mesh systems use a mobile app for a guided setup.—The app walks you through the set-up process for optimal placement of nodes throughout your home.[2]&nbsp;It will help you find dead zones, so you can place nodes in those areas that otherwise wouldn’t receive WiFi coverage. The mobile app also incorporates some cool features to help you manage your WiFi, such as parental controls, device prioritization, guest access, and more.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "1e87d404678bd4bbceb8f00671", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "9a3bfb12e53f0741eb026ec611", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/whole-home-mesh-wifi/linksys-app-mobile-app (1).jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 565, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "An image of a mesh system on a mobile phone." } }, { "id" : "ee0d6b0f44368f935731256d90", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "85a98857ff8cd9d068c6c9d2f3", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Whole Home WiFi Devices Blend into Your Home Environment</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Let’s face it—today’s WiFi routers are often oversized and unsightly, requiring extra space to extend the antennas and creating a mess of cables jutting every which way. More often than not, homeowners attempt to disguise them, hiding routers in the closet or behind the TV, which only serves to reduce their wireless network performance. Most home WiFi devices have a much smaller footprint in your home, and actively reduce clutter. You can leave them out in plain sight without worrying about them becoming eyesores, because their home-friendly design is unobtrusive enough to blend in with the rest of your décor.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "d93548cf39ffada9f4ce635326", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "6c90550212fcde08a88b75aa68", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Standout Features of the Whole Home WiFi System</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Here are a few key features to look for in a whole home WiFi system:</p><p><br></p><p><strong><em>Wired and Wireless Expansion</em></strong></p><p><br></p><p>In a modular system, there’s one node connected to your modem that acts as a router. Each additional node finds the best channel and path to wirelessly connect to the previous one, creating a seamless and reliable WiFi connection throughout your entire home.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "c584c889af69120edc0d03a45f", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "bd421028b1ea4df4dd6b11b71b", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/whole-home-mesh-wifi/wired-wireless-expansion.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 237, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "An image showing the Wi-Fi system." } }, { "id" : "3795f8c0339e83cb847326f83d", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "4ff66591e317a490fca3f530fa", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>However, if your home is already wired with Ethernet cables in every room, some mesh systems can still connect the nodes together using an Ethernet cable to create a whole home WiFi system. Even using the wired option, you’ll still be able to expand your signal to hard-to-reach areas such as the garage or basement.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "244ec99c4c0852bbb840b51f04", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "a1068ccfea3c9be5e7acedd837", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/whole-home-mesh-wifi/one-network-seamless-roaming.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.49, "y" : 0.55 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 493, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "An image showing connected nodes." } }, { "id" : "1c161808d711040fa9c2867871", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "3bbae06ade18fd4dcf255e6064", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p><strong><em>One Network and Seamless Roaming</em></strong></p><p><br></p><p>The name “mesh network” itself implies that every component of your WiFi system is working together, and seamless roaming is a perfect example of that. When you use a router and range extender combination, you have to switch between the networks manually as you move from one coverage zone to the other.</p><p><br></p><p>But with seamless roaming, you only have one network with one name and password—that means that as you move about your home, you’ll never have to manually switch from one network to the other. So go ahead, stream video in the living, kitchen, or bedroom without worrying about buffering or a dropped connection.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "f2f35083e722bfc4184612af06", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "0663f74e0240a055d4a4a9f170", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/whole-home-mesh-wifi/guest-network-access.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 420, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "An image of of people using devices in a family room." } }, { "id" : "7a8d89ab08172bac8fbecb0dd2", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p><strong><em>Guest Network</em></strong></p><p><br></p><p>Using a guest network keeps your primary WiFi network safe from intrusion, blocking outside users from accessing your personal data. But never fear, you can still provide Internet access to your dinner guests or babysitter without compromising the security of your main network. Simply adjust the guest settings using your mobile management app.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "760c23eaa4a5bb81d838ecd39f", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "73bbde0538c0a07009c007feef", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/whole-home-mesh-wifi/range-extender-limitations.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 563, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "An image showing multiple people using wi-fi." } }, { "id" : "4f4f6a964e3a9a2eb18232785a", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "cb5b22d6c9aabd526d968883a0", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Why Not Use a Range Extender?</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Comparing range extenders to whole home WiFi is like comparing apples to oranges. Range extenders are certainly effective when it comes to increasing the range of your router, but they do so at the expense of WiFi performance, which gets cut in half.</p><p><br></p><p>In a large space where WiFi struggles to reach every corner, a range extender can actually diminish the overall performance of your network, creating a bottlenecking effect. You might also experience connection issues when jumping from the router to the extender, because you’ll need to switch networks manually. For example, even when standing next to the range extender, you can still experience dead zones or slowdowns if you haven’t manually changed your device over from the router’s signal. These two separate networks also have different names and interfaces, which can be a serious hassle.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "16c44c94b70f554c7c02007d1e", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "441e906c5e4d6c3067b8330eb1", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/whole-home-mesh-wifi/not-all-mesh-created-equal.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.32, "y" : 0.65 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 574, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "An image of a graph showing the difference of quality mesh systems. " } }, { "id" : "19fe688324f1a025570bb09cd0", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "ddf5010180448d19abf9d8b6e4", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Not All Mesh WiFi Systems Are Created Equal</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>All mesh systems are slightly different, so it’s important to examine the technology that each brand uses. For example, some tri-band systems are better than others, and some dual-band systems have bandwidth limitations. Take a close look at the tech being offered to ensure that your whole home WiFi projects an effective, efficient signal that blankets every corner of your home with WiFi connectivity.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "03cd07fde042271db70395164d", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "0eb20b8723bd7a4097ab9f39a1", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>References</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<ol><li>John R. Delaney,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.pcmag.com/picks/the-best-wi-fi-mesh-network-systems\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"“The Best Wi-Fi Mesh Network Systems of 2018”\">“The Best Wi-Fi Mesh Network Systems of 2018”</a>, PCMag - Ziff Davis, July 24, 2018</li><li>Sarah Brown,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.tomsguide.com/us/what-is-mesh-wifi-router,news-24580.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"“What Is a Mesh Wi-Fi Router, and Do You Need One?”\">“What Is a Mesh Wi-Fi Router, and Do You Need One?”</a>, Tom’s Guide, March 5, 2017</li><li>Bradley Mitchell,&nbsp;<a href=\"https://www.lifewire.com/guest-network-for-home-tutorial-818204\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-link-type=\"external\" data-link-label=\"“Setting Up and Using a Guest WiFi Network”\">“Setting Up and Using a Guest WiFi Network”</a>, Lifewire, March 26, 2018</li></ol>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "aabe9aa63127b829491aa44597", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } } ] }, { "id" : "column2", "components" : [ { "id" : "bae4d59a570d5a1f13f69efe01", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.shopStory", "data" : { "navHeadline" : "RELATED PRODUCTS", "bgColor" : "Transparent", "swipeMobile" : false, "theme" : "Dark Text", "useCustomBgColor" : false }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "efe40f323a0216238993d02c0f", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "MX4200", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } }, { "id" : "2ff0e869d66c7aa492c551420f", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "MX6203", "displayRatings" : true, "displaySwatches" : false } }, { "id" : "2b64ffb2f41aa873930427220b", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "WHW0303", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] }
{ "id" : "whats-ethernet", "name" : "What Is Ethernet?", "type_id" : "resourceArticle", "data" : { "articleImage" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/whats-ethernet/what-is-ethernet.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "articleTitleOverride" : "What Is Ethernet?", "alt" : "Ethernet cable", "articleDescOverride" : "In a world where WiFi seems to rule our connected lives, do you even need an Ethernet port on your laptop? From business people to gamers, that answer is \"yes\". Here's why." }, "custom" : { "articleImage" : "https://www.linksys.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-Linksys-Shared-Library/default/dw48cbe4d9/images/Articles/whats-ethernet/what-is-ethernet.jpg", "articleImageAlt" : "Ethernet cable", "articleTitle" : "What Is Ethernet?", "articleDesc" : "In a world where WiFi seems to rule our connected lives, do you even need an Ethernet port on your laptop? From business people to gamers, that answer is \"yes\". Here's why.", "articleURL" : "https://www.linksys.com/whats-ethernet.html" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "main", "components" : [ { "id" : "ff313821d0e6f9d4320ff12b08", "name" : "Breadcrumbs", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.breadcrumbs", "data" : { "border" : true, "lvl1Link" : "https://www.linksys.com/resource-center.html", "lvl2Text" : "What Is Ethernet?", "lvl1Text" : "Resource Center" } }, { "id" : "1ed7c6932a0dec39918fe598e2", "name" : "Article Main", "type_id" : "commerce_layouts.article2Col", "data" : { "layoutOptions" : "75% | 25%", "fullWidth" : false, "orderMobile" : "Col 1 First, Col 2 Second", "borderBetween" : "Include Border" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "d41acbe9fc54b0c2c274a608b7", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "0", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h1>What Is Ethernet?</h1>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 2", "theme" : "Dark Text" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "70c18321a7edf15f77450ca807", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/whats-ethernet/what-is-ethernet.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "Image of an ethernet cable." } }, { "id" : "f62c5caeda99df37affa28b78f", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "e533780360a83d898ed9aa0e12", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Technically speaking, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) defines Ethernet as protocol 802.3. But just plain \"Ethernet\" is a whole lot easier to say, and it’s likely how you’ve come to know that essential bringer of Internet.</p><p><br></p><p>Jargon aside, Ethernet simply refers to the most common type of Local Area Network (LAN) used today. A LAN—in contrast to a WAN (Wide Area Network), which spans a larger geographical area—is a connected network of computers in a small area, like your office, college campus, or even home. You might even be connected to one as you read this.</p><p><br></p><p>What Ethernet is not, though, is wireless. In a world where WiFi seems to rule our connected lives, you might be wondering: Is there even still room for that rectangular Ethernet port on your laptop? From serious business people to serious gamers, that answer is \"yes, there definitely is.\" And here's why.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "5c7dd967d9fa7ac6389a4e8e90", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "85104aec152a6e969fd8409368", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Ethernet: Speeds, Cables and Setup</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Because Ethernet has been kicking around since the early 1970s, traditional Ethernet speeds clocked it at only 10 megabits per second (Mbps). Fast Ethernet eventually bumped data transfers up to 100 Mbps, but after huge technological strides, today's Gigabit Ethernet supports speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps. Though it's currently limited to businesses on the cutting edge of the tech world, 10 Gigabit Ethernet with speeds of up to 10,000 Mbps is also on the way.</p><p><br></p><p>As a wired protocol, the type of Ethernet cable you use matters. Most commonly, you'll see Category 5 (or CAT5) Ethernet cables. These support both traditional and Fast Ethernet, while Category 5e and Category 6 (CAT5e and CAT6) cables can handle Gigabit and 10 Gigabit Ethernet respectively.</p><p><br></p><p>These cables run from your modem or modem-router combo (known as a gateway) to the Ethernet ports on your online-enabled devices, like computers, laptops, or smart TVs. If your device doesn't have an Ethernet port built-in, you may be able to use a USB-to-Ethernet adapter.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "ce79192c6992b82f3cab67cb9c", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "4187ea71bca294907b96a72e1a", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Ethernet vs. WiFi: Benefits</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p><em>Signal Stability</em></p><p><em></em></p><p>While setting up a wired LAN is a bit more costly and time-consuming than a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), it has some undeniable perks. First, WiFi signals are actually transmitted via radio frequencies. If you've ever passed through a tunnel while listening to your car radio or picked up on your neighbor's signal with your stereo, you know that radio waves are prone to interference. And so is your WiFi.</p><p><br></p><p>With wired Ethernet, interference isn't an issue. And because everything from your neighbor's WiFi signals to your microwave and your Bluetooth headset can cause WiFi interference, that's a potentially huge benefit. Without interference, your Internet is less likely to experience slowdowns, disconnections, or intermittent connection—big deals when you're transferring massive, data-hungry media files to a client (or competing in a Call of Duty tournament).</p><p><br></p><p>Similarly, your own walls won't cause penetration issues for Ethernet, and because each device is hardwired, you don't have to split your bandwidth between your laptop and PS5.</p><p><br></p><p><em>Flexibility and Security</em></p><p><br></p><p>Though you might be dealing with wires, you've still got the flexibility to transfer data up to 100 meters—that's 328 feet from your modem or router—with Ethernet cables. Since most routers already feature Ethernet ports, it doesn't take much to make the switch at home, or even to hard-wire your game console or desktop gaming rig while your phone and tablet connect to your WiFi signal.</p><p><br></p><p>For the more business-oriented, the control and security offered by Ethernet is hard to beat. With a physical connection, you maintain control of who's connected to your local network at any given time. This not only frees up data for your users, it helps prevent unwanted (not to mention dangerous and costly) security breaches. With WiFi extending beyond the walls of your office, your business's WLAN network is naturally more accessible to potential threats.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "8f458da943b312a16312da251f", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "0ef045c57c478273a36cd58b1c", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Ethernet vs. WiFi: Disadvantages</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>WiFi has a reputation for easy accessibility, and it's well-earned. When you use WLAN, you basically just need an affordable modem-router combo, and you and your devices are ready to roll.</p><p><br></p><p><em>Cost</em></p><p><br></p><p>The bigger and more complex your wired LAN, on the other hand, the higher your costs. If you're simply running an Ethernet cable to your Xbox One, you're looking at the price of only a single cable. But if you're a small business designing a safe, stable, and private network, you'll need modems, firewalls, servers, switches, and possibly even professional installation. As costs rise with each workstation that accesses your network, you could be looking at a sizable initial investment.</p><p><br></p><p><em>Available Ports</em></p><p><br></p><p>Remember the USB-to-Ethernet adapter we mentioned earlier? That's a consideration, too. While most desktops, laptops, smart TVs, consoles, and smart Blu-ray players come equipped with Ethernet ports, many don't. This can even vary for gamers, as the aforementioned Xbox One features an Ethernet port while the Wii U requires a specific USB-powered Wii LAN adapter, for example.</p><p><br></p><p><em>Mobility</em></p><p><br></p><p>You'll also lose some mobility if you go Ethernet-only, as mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, netbooks, e-readers, and portable gaming systems are WiFi only (it’s pretty hard to include an Ethernet port when the port itself is wider than many of these gadgets). That's why most LAN setups include some sort of additional WiFi connectivity. And if sheer speed is your game, the 802.11ac standards supported by dual- and tri-band WiFi routers reach maximum top speeds of 1.3 gigabits per second (Gbps)—though both WiFi and Ethernet's theoretical speeds are capped by real-world issues like your data plan with your Internet service provider.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "75b96747c0ff249057440dad20", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "caa1227e4267475ad7904a79d3", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Are You Wired or Wireless?</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Ultimately, the choice to switch to Ethernet boils down to your needs, preferences, and budget. Most homes that use the Internet for HD streaming, Chromebook browsing, and smartphone Candy Crush sessions will be a-OK with a dual-band WiFi router. But if you're trying to maintain your spot on the leaderboard of your online game or you run a business where online stability and profit go hand-in-hand, then one thing's for sure: WiFi hasn't killed the wire just yet.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "2ed89766dc5053655bed93063e", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } } ] }, { "id" : "column2", "components" : [ { "id" : "6877bb506ce7b9d267d4162d03", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.shopStory", "data" : { "navHeadline" : "RELATED PRODUCTS", "bgColor" : "Transparent", "swipeMobile" : false, "theme" : "Dark Text", "useCustomBgColor" : false }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "5cc4d96dd51283ee6852040cb4", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "SE3005", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } } ] } ] }, { "id" : "770945c316c0ee9b484dfd1a50", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "SE3008", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } } ] } ] } ] } ] }
{ "id" : "modem-match-broadband-service", "name" : "Does Your Modem Match Your Broadband Service?", "type_id" : "resourceArticle", "data" : { "articleImage" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/modem-match-broadband-service/modem-broadband-service.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "articleTitleOverride" : "Does Your Modem Match Your Broadband Service?", "alt" : "Loading screen.", "articleDescOverride" : "If WiFi is the lifeblood of your connected lifestyle, your modem is the heart that keeps it pumping—which makes your modem's compatibility with your broadband service crucial." }, "custom" : { "articleImage" : "https://www.linksys.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-Linksys-Shared-Library/default/dw8cfe2b47/images/Articles/modem-match-broadband-service/modem-broadband-service.jpg", "articleImageAlt" : "Loading screen.", "articleTitle" : "Does Your Modem Match Your Broadband Service?", "articleDesc" : "If WiFi is the lifeblood of your connected lifestyle, your modem is the heart that keeps it pumping—which makes your modem's compatibility with your broadband service crucial.", "articleURL" : "https://www.linksys.com/modem-match-broadband-service.html" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "main", "components" : [ { "id" : "ef24eab9e494cd3dbb9b522239", "name" : "Breadcrumbs", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.breadcrumbs", "data" : { "border" : true, "lvl1Link" : "https://www.linksys.com/resource-center.html", "lvl2Text" : "Does Your Modem Match Your Broadband Service?", "lvl1Text" : "Resource Center " } }, { "id" : "e8b861fcafccaabfd1efcb2274", "name" : "Article Main", "type_id" : "commerce_layouts.article2Col", "data" : { "layoutOptions" : "75% | 25%", "fullWidth" : false, "orderMobile" : "Col 1 First, Col 2 Second", "borderBetween" : "Include Border" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "b6f8f5f555efa23942bd1547a5", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "0", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h1>Does Your Modem Match Your Broadband Service?</h1>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 2", "theme" : "Dark Text" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "bdea56feb5d832208ca5219e96", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/what-is-a-modem/modem-broadband-service.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "An image of a loading bar." } }, { "id" : "39f74078b6d3cffa3db7b1a62d", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "6aafd72848e32518a4d8398750", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>If WiFi is the lifeblood of your connected lifestyle, your&nbsp;modem&nbsp;is the heart that keeps it pumping—which makes your modem's compatibility with your broadband service crucial. While most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) will gladly rent you a modem, purchasing one on your own frees you of the monthly payment, and can lead to a better WiFi experience.</p><p><br></p><p>Understanding that each ISP has a list of modems best suited for their broadband services is the place to start. If you use a mismatched device, you risk very noticeable performance issues that you may not be able to address without another trip to the store. So make sure you check modem-ISP compatibility first, then seek modem features that will both meet your needs and improve your Internet experience—now and in the future.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "619b352b5c6485beeece087797", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "3f87995b93ca9b9b81e52fa95f", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Get Familiar with DOCSIS (and Channel Bonding)</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Not all modems are created equally—to avoid compatibility hiccups, look for modems that comply with DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) standards. These international standards certify that the modem is ready to play nice with most cable providers like Comcast, Time Warner, Charter, and Cox.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "58cb9eb202c8a30adaa8522f9f", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "c09241ef7c90d516f75ecd3c10", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/modem-match-broadband-service/CableModem_English.png", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 184, "width" : 660 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "An image chart breaking down internet speed." } }, { "id" : "5034035b9e36c12f91cb7e57bf", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "d31a5d397202a2d68c9339a9a9", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>The current spec available today, DOCSIS 3.0, supports downstream speeds from 170 Megabits per second (Mbps) up to 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps), depending on the number of channels used. Sometimes, you'll also spot numbers like “4x4” and “8x4” when modem shopping. These indicate the number of downstream and upstream channels supported by the modem—which refer to downstream data (like streaming or browsing) and upstream data (like transferring files or sending emails), respectively.</p><p><br></p><p>An 8x4 modem, for instance, works well with Internet service plans of up to 100 Mbps—a safe bet for the average, well-connected household. If you're a hardcore tech user or have a growing family of Netflix streamers, you’ll want a powerful, DOCSIS-compatible 24x8 modem that can handle Internet service plans between 100 and 300 Mbps. If any of this seems confusing, think of it this way: bonded channels are most commonly referred to like lanes on a highway—the more lanes (or channels), the more cars (or data) that can flow.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "da0718261f84455915e29ed0dd", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "12fe322af1a34491196ff9a666", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Are You Getting the WiFi Speeds You’re Paying Your ISP For?</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>ISPs typically have services divided into speed brackets based on cost—you can check out these brackets on the ISP's website, or if you're already subscribed, on your monthly bill. Here are some speed recommendations for common services:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>5.0 Mbps to stream Netflix in high definition (HD)</li><li>25 Mbps to stream Netflix in 4K</li><li>1.5 Mbps download and upload speeds to Skype in HD</li><li>1.5 Mbps minimum to stream Hulu</li><li>15 to 20 Mbps for lag-free online gaming</li></ul><p>Just 5 Mbps of bandwidth to stream Netflix doesn't sound like much—until you take an active, connected household into account. If you're streaming “Orange is the New Black” in 4K while the kids play “Destiny” online, you're suddenly looking at a whole lot of data usage.</p><p><br></p><p>All these numbers help determine your WiFi needs, which tie directly into your modem and broadband speeds. Therefore, if your WiFi speed isn't up to par, everyone using the Internet is going to have a choppy, frustrating experience. So analyze your maximum household usage, check the modem's specs before you buy to make sure it can handle your needs as well as the speed tier you subscribe to from your ISP. Lastly, make sure your Internet connection and modem are funneling all this data to your household full of connected devices through a current-generation 802.11ax WiFi Router and not some old 802.11g router from fifteen years ago.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "e85ba077441ebb2b63ee166f11", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "d94adbd122855ac54a419cc9e3", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Understand Your Network Performance</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "102d8e236376359ee2de9c9c3e", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Once you're up and running, check your WiFi's real-world performance against your ISP's promised speed with a free, browser-based speed test. Head over to Ookla's industry-standard&nbsp;<a data-link-label=\"Speedtest\" data-link-type=\"external\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.speedtest.net/\">Speedtest</a>&nbsp;and simply click the “Begin Test” button. The test tosses your computer a chunk of data to download, and scrutinizes your download and upload speeds in less than a minute.</p><p><br></p><p>You'll also nab a measurement of your ping—your connection's response time—which is the key to a smooth online gaming experience, whether you're using the PlayStation Network, Xbox Live, or Nintendo Network. Like in golf, a low score is good; you'll want a ping of less than 100 milliseconds for responsive online play. Keep in mind that results may fluctuate based on a variety of factors like time of day, which can be affected by Internet “rush hours” in the evening.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "30cf56a483653b4789c7c4a6f6", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "c24cf56e7fdb4c6fe9568c9caa", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Make the Modem-Broadband Match</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Getting familiar with your home's WiFi performance helps you determine if connection issues are network-related or device-related, and it can clue you in on when your gear is in need of an upgrade. Ensure that your modem, broadband service, and WiFi router are working together as a team and you’ll be one step closer to a fast, buffer-free Internet experience.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "2ac6f3eb9ef5bc8d3a14eb286d", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } } ] }, { "id" : "column2", "components" : [ { "id" : "328c75117579b7feafe2a1989b", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.shopStory", "data" : { "navHeadline" : "RELATED PRODUCTS", "bgColor" : "Transparent", "swipeMobile" : true, "theme" : "Dark Text", "useCustomBgColor" : false }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "3344c29f84a1bd7373e9330a0f", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "MR20EC", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } }, { "id" : "8c0a776eb68f94527acd166295", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "MX5501", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] }
{ "id" : "what-is-a-wifi-access-point", "name" : "What is an Access Point and How is it Different from a Range Extender?", "type_id" : "resourceArticle", "data" : { "articleImage" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/what-is-a-wifi-access-point/what-is-a-wifi-access-point.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "articleTitleOverride" : "What Is An Access Point And How Is It Different Than A Range Extender?", "alt" : "Linksys Access Points", "articleDescOverride" : "Let’s take a look at how the features of WiFi access points, WiFi routers and range extenders compare to find the best WiFi solution for you." }, "custom" : { "articleImage" : "https://www.linksys.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-Linksys-Shared-Library/default/dw64b866a1/images/Articles/what-is-a-wifi-access-point/what-is-a-wifi-access-point.jpg", "articleImageAlt" : "Linksys Access Points", "articleTitle" : "What Is An Access Point And How Is It Different Than A Range Extender?", "articleDesc" : "Let’s take a look at how the features of WiFi access points, WiFi routers and range extenders compare to find the best WiFi solution for you.", "articleURL" : "https://www.linksys.com/what-is-a-wifi-access-point.html" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "main", "components" : [ { "id" : "c38d32ee8b8efaa821d045b1ca", "name" : "Breadcrumbs", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.breadcrumbs", "data" : { "border" : true, "lvl1Link" : "https://www.linksys.com/resource-center.html", "lvl2Text" : "What Is an Access Point and How Is It Different From a Range Extender?", "lvl1Text" : "Resource Center" } }, { "id" : "729d0cfafb051bb06ddc2e39be", "name" : "Article Main", "type_id" : "commerce_layouts.article2Col", "data" : { "layoutOptions" : "75% | 25%", "fullWidth" : false, "orderMobile" : "Col 1 First, Col 2 Second", "borderBetween" : "Include Border" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "d24e8c30ddf4abaccf379ec98a", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h1>What Is an Access Point and How Is It Different From a Range Extender?</h1>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 2", "theme" : "Dark Text" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "1ef71ef807b46295d5f4170c38", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/what-is-a-wifi-access-point/what-is-a-wifi-access-point.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "Linksys WiFi Access Points" } }, { "id" : "7adc2f5c070a37bfa94021a2a1", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "83d9cac604c21f59e758c3f268", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>WiFi technology has improved greatly in recent years, but it’s not one-size-fits-all, especially when it comes to businesses. Large office spaces with heavy traffic typically utilize WiFi access points, while small offices with limited users are more likely to have WiFi routers and range extenders. Let’s take a look at how their features compare to find the best WiFi solution for you.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "b61e6f2cad1f2446272d0f0bc3", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "8eaf65c4bf7c453b009184dff4", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>What is an Access Point?</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>An&nbsp;<a data-category-catalog-id=\"storefront-linksysUS\" data-category-id=\"wireless-access-points\" data-link-label=\"Wireless Access Points\" data-link-type=\"category\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https://www.linksys.com/shop/shop-business/wireless-access-points/\">access point</a>&nbsp;is a device that creates a wireless local area network, or WLAN, usually in an office or large building. An access point connects to a wired router, switch, or hub via an Ethernet cable, and projects a WiFi signal to a designated area. For example, if you want to enable WiFi access in your company's reception area but don’t have a router within range, you can install an access point near the front desk and run an Ethernet cable through the ceiling back to the server room.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "803495d1c93a0058d8cb2e646f", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "72ebb0a3799040855a6a0e2ee8", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>What is a Range Extender?</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>As its name implies, a&nbsp;<a data-category-catalog-id=\"storefront-linksysUS\" data-category-id=\"resource-center\" data-link-label=\"Resource Center\" data-link-type=\"category\" target=\"_self\" href=\"https://www.linksys.com/learn/resource-center/\">range extender</a>&nbsp;lengthens the reach of an existing WiFi network. Since range extenders connect wirelessly to WiFi routers, they must be placed where the WiFi router's signal is already strong, not in the location of the actual dead spot. For instance, if your router is in the basement of a two-story building, installing a range extender on the ground floor (where coverage from the WiFi router is still strong) will eliminate potential dead zones on the second floor.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "c5187939fe41741b2f92b1e743", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "56f067741321c10d88a838310a", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Why Access Points Are Better for Businesses</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>While range extenders are great for home WiFi networks, they’re not efficient for modern businesses. This is because they can only support a limited number of devices at one time, usually no more than 20. While range extenders do increase the coverage of a WiFi router, they do not increase its available bandwidth. Depending on the number of devices you have connected simultaneously, a range extender could end up weighing down your connection.</p><p><br></p><p>Access points, on the other hand, can handle over 60 simultaneous connections each. By installing access points throughout the office, users can roam freely from room to room without experiencing network interruptions. As they move through the building, their devices shift seamlessly from one access point to the next without dropping the connection—they won’t even realize they’re switching between networks.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "d39b2d90ce05283f4faaef99f1", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "12bc0206581d180280a9f700ac", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h2>Advantages of Using Wireless Access Points</h2>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>When you have both employees and guests connecting with desktops, laptops, mobile phones, and tablets, 20 devices on a wireless network adds up quickly. At 60 simultaneous connections each, access points give you the freedom to scale the number of devices supported on your network. But that’s only one of the advantages of using these network enhancers—consider these points:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>Business-grade access points can be installed anywhere you can run an Ethernet cable. Newer models are also compatible with Power over Ethernet Plus, or PoE+ (a combination Ethernet and power cord), so there is no need to run a separate power line or install an outlet near the access point.</li><li>Additional standard features include Captive Portal and Access Control List (ACL) support, so you can limit guest access without compromising network security, as well as easily manage users within your WiFi network.</li><li>Select access points include a Clustering feature—a single point from which the IT administrator can view, deploy, configure, and secure a WiFi network as a single entity rather than a series of separate access point configurations.</li></ul>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] } ] }, { "id" : "column2", "components" : [ { "id" : "7424bbf1a0fc6c9eef4d55609b", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.shopStory", "data" : { "navHeadline" : "RELATED PRODUCTS", "bgColor" : "Transparent", "swipeMobile" : false, "theme" : "Dark Text", "useCustomBgColor" : false }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "8f3705a547eb794a451557a433", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "LAPAX3600C", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } }, { "id" : "8e7818100c2f8e3db5ae8ff4e9", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "RE7000", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } } ] } ] } ] } ] }, { "id" : "2831314faa4b83bc1930385378", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } } ] } ] }
{ "id" : "kiln-restaurant-secure-wifi", "name" : "KILN Restaurant Secure WiFi", "type_id" : "resourceArticle", "data" : { "articleImage" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/restaurant-secure-wifi/kiln-restaurant.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "articleTitleOverride" : "Linksys Helps KILN Restaurant Put Secure WiFi on the Menu", "alt" : "Kiln Restaurant", "articleDescOverride" : "Linksys helped Kiln to set up its restaurant with a complete high-performance network solution that eliminates bandwidth issues." }, "custom" : { "articleImage" : "https://www.linksys.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-Linksys-Shared-Library/default/dw3a62da75/images/Articles/restaurant-secure-wifi/kiln-restaurant.jpg", "articleImageAlt" : "Kiln Restaurant", "articleTitle" : "Linksys Helps KILN Restaurant Put Secure WiFi on the Menu", "articleDesc" : "Linksys helped Kiln to set up its restaurant with a complete high-performance network solution that eliminates bandwidth issues.", "articleURL" : "https://www.linksys.com/kiln-restaurant-secure-wifi.html" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "main", "components" : [ { "id" : "b90024b0e4dd9d59086e0d5ac5", "name" : "Breadcrumbs", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.breadcrumbs", "data" : { "border" : true, "lvl1Link" : "https://www.linksys.com/resource-center.html", "lvl2Text" : "Linksys Helps KILN Restaurant Put Secure WiFi on the Menu", "lvl1Text" : "Resource Center" } }, { "id" : "be333221981fe439fd2e671f12", "name" : "Article Main", "type_id" : "commerce_layouts.article2Col", "data" : { "layoutOptions" : "75% | 25%", "fullWidth" : false, "orderMobile" : "Col 1 First, Col 2 Second", "borderBetween" : "Include Border" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "edc8d53a2d126a38e065a94bd9", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/restaurant-secure-wifi/kiln-restaurant.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center", "alt" : "KILN restaurant" } }, { "id" : "8bca91ca632dd5ad937c5d7371", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.imageTextBanner", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/restaurant-secure-wifi/kiln-logo.png", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 150, "width" : 250 } }, "layoutOptions" : "Text 66% | Image 33%", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "alt" : "kiln logo", "imgAlign" : "Left", "useCustomBgColor" : false, "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "textAlignMobile" : "Left", "bgColor" : "Transparent", "orderMobile" : "Text First, Image Second", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p><span style=\"color: rgb(51, 51, 51);\">Ben Chapman, chef and co-founder of the well-known Smoking Goat restaurant, recently opened a sister restaurant called Kiln. Located in London’s Soho district, Kiln is an informal, vibrant restaurant that caters to technology-savvy guests. Inspired by the rural simplicity of the Thai borderlands, Kiln’s menu is based around simple, quick grilled dishes, many of which are cooked in wood-burning kiln ovens and have been created around the best British produce available. The restaurant is a modern, high-tech space, featuring high stools paralleling a stainless steel countertop.</span></p><p><span style=\"color: rgb(51, 51, 51);\"></span></p><p><span style=\"color: rgb(51, 51, 51);\">The counter sits in front of an open kitchen—where guests can watch chefs preparing and cooking dishes around the kitchen’s centerpiece, the wood-burning Kiln.</span></p>", "order" : "Image First, Text Second" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "bannerBtns" }, { "id" : "bannerBottom" } ] }, { "id" : "f367403b2315c16a19518820e6", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { } }, { "id" : "1ed7e15e3027777f513cc13908", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>The Challenge</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p><span style=\"color: rgb(51, 51, 51);\">Like most startups, Kiln’s sister restaurant, The Smoking Goat, was working within strict budget guidelines; and being a small team, it had initially installed a simple WiFi solution with routers that are more commonly used in home environments. The solution worked, but there were a number of black spots, and the network and connection was not always stable for daily high-bandwidth operations. Customers also sometimes complained that they were unable to connect to the Internet. In addition, there were a number of challenges for the Linksys team to overcome at the Kiln site itself. With the restaurant located in the basement, as well as in a very old, crowded part of London, there were thick walls to contend with, which meant installing a super-fast WiFi connection would be difficult. Knowing that Kiln would need a strong WiFi connection for powering payment machines, printing menus daily, and providing a reliable, secure Internet connection for staff and guest users, Kiln turned to Linksys for help.</span></p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "edc4e24de6b19b504d8d3bace9", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { } }, { "id" : "1de92c99cbb73d9987da2accd1", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>The Solution</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p><span style=\"color: rgb(51, 51, 51);\">Linksys installed one LRT224 Business Dual WAN Gigabit VPN Router to manage the Internet traffic, and two Virtual LANs, so restaurant guests and staff would have separate, secure networks. A Linksys LGS108P 8-Port Business Desktop Gigabit PoE+ Switch was installed to ensure reliable internal connectivity for the Linksys access points, as well as the other network devices in the location. The two Linksys LAPAC2600- 802.11AC Business Access Points—one mounted in the upstairs bar area, and the second in the restaurant area downstairs—provide secure, reliable, high-speed WiFi to every part of the restaurant. The PoE power for the Linksys access points is delivered by the LGS108P Switch, meaning only one cable is required at the wall mount. These two access points have been configured as a single controller-less managed cluster and provide the staff and guest networks with seamless roaming and device isolation on the guest network. These access points help improve overall performance and efficiency of a WiFi network by providing dedicated bandwidth to individual devices.</span></p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "1fbaa41d14194714c013d85fdb", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { } }, { "id" : "e633f45b2d61914527c48ac873", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>Conclusion</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Linksys helped Kiln to set up its restaurant with a complete high-performance network solution that eliminates all of the bandwidth issues previously experienced in its sister restaurant, avoid security vulnerabilities, and ensures that both staff and restaurant guests have quick, easy access. The site survey shows a high-speed Internet connection for the entire site, with an average of 1300 Mb throughout.</p><p><br></p><p>\"Thanks to Linksys, we now have a seamless connection, which allows the staff to deliver swift customer service whilst guest browse the Internet freely throughout their time here, \" said Luke Piper, general manager of Kiln. \"In this day and age, people expect flawless WiFi wherever they go, and that is exactly what Linksys has managed to deliver to our customers, despite the challenges at hand.\"</p><p><br></p><p>The restaurant, which opened in September 2016, has received rave reviews so far. One hard-to-please restaurant critic, Fay Maschler of The Evening Standard, described Kiln as a \"side-of-the-road\" Thai to die for,\" and gave five out of five stars for Ben's obsessiveness, dedication, assiduous research, creativity, insistence on well-bred ingredients, keen fact, she's only done it six times before. With help from Linksys, Kiln now has a proven, critically acclaimed business model it can take with it as it opens more successful restaurants in the future.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "804bcdd7e577d9475ee8b7aab9", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "64", "spacerSize" : "64" } }, { "id" : "fa8ecb48d0b3683df62575f488", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { } } ] }, { "id" : "column2", "components" : [ { "id" : "38586fcdf09cc7b54927eb3f8e", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.shopStory", "data" : { "navHeadline" : "RELATED PRODUCTS", "bgColor" : "Transparent", "swipeMobile" : false, "theme" : "Dark Text", "useCustomBgColor" : false }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "58cbadb482b7808e3ea43cf7d4", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "LGS108P", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } }, { "id" : "a174519e42e3675f9f3f2eb541", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "LGS124P", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } }, { "id" : "f2ab42cc2420e5a8db21adede2", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "LGS352C", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] } ] }
{ "id" : "parent-guide-to-online-safety-for-children", "name" : "A Parent Guide to Online Safety for Children", "type_id" : "resourceArticle", "data" : { "articleImage" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/resource_image_home_wifiparentguide_1000x750.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "articleTitleOverride" : "A Parent Guide to Online Safety for Children", "alt" : "Woman with kids", "articleDescOverride" : "Parents strive to create a safe, physical environment for their children. The digital world, however, is not always as easy to secure." }, "custom" : { "articleImage" : "https://www.linksys.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-Linksys-Shared-Library/default/dwe7a1a27c/images/Articles/resource_image_home_wifiparentguide_1000x750.jpg", "articleImageAlt" : "Woman with kids", "articleTitle" : "A Parent Guide to Online Safety for Children", "articleDesc" : "Parents strive to create a safe, physical environment for their children. The digital world, however, is not always as easy to secure.", "articleURL" : "https://www.linksys.com/parent-guide-to-online-safety-for-children.html" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "main", "components" : [ { "id" : "68066fb4cc09390d048cb40979", "name" : "Breadcrumbs", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.breadcrumbs", "data" : { "border" : true, "lvl1Link" : "https://www.linksys.com/resource-center.html", "lvl2Text" : "A Parent Guide to Online Safety for Children", "lvl1Text" : "Resource Center" } }, { "id" : "5044cfdb8c4f6c055a8b826289", "name" : "Article Main", "type_id" : "commerce_layouts.article2Col", "data" : { "layoutOptions" : "75% | 25%", "fullWidth" : false, "orderMobile" : "Col 1 First, Col 2 Second", "borderBetween" : "Include Border" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "365fa68c0cf50fb73a4f96302b", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h1>A Parent Guide to Online Safety for Children</h1>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 2", "theme" : "Dark Text" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "4df1d005fc0de5ac9baf6f18be", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/resource_image_home_wifiparentguide_1000x750.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center" } }, { "id" : "9edf9452f3dea4c6f4c28a5f00", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "8087818692d60b80f54add8f94", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16px", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Parents strive to create a safe, physical environment for their children. The digital world, however, is not always as easy to secure.</p><p><br></p><p>Thanks to the advent of ubiquitous high-speed broadband over recent decades, the family computer is present in most households and is supplemented by mobile devices like laptops, smartphones and tablets, in addition to gaming systems, smart TVs and other devices that are all connect to the home WiFi network. Though these technologies have their benefits, the digital world—like the physical world—contains threats. Hackers, cybercriminals and predators are dangers parents must ensure their children are protected against when using the internet.</p><p><br></p><p>A defense strategy for parents is essential, but where to begin?</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "7afaca0eb0584597e4f3a66533", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "dd85cf509a962fb730775316f8", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>Treat Online Safety as Risk Management for Your Children</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>While the threats may be different in a home environment compared to a company, the approach needed to protect children is similar to that of employees and a business. Parents assume the role of network administrator in this case, motivated by the desire to ensure their children's safety in an online environment.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "783039ac72c4fc3be090657280", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "c6a004d9c7fcb40a0e7cb564e6", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>Gather Information</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Parents must learn about online safety protocols if they are to protect their homes. Luckily, they don't need to return to school, as there are many resources available.</p><p><br></p><p>“Groups, sites, and apps provide education on cybersecurity and online safety for parents,\" says Myla Pilao, Director, Core Technology Marketing, <a data-link-label=\"https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/forHome.html\" data-link-type=\"external\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/forHome.html\">Trend Micro</a>. \"A quick search for advice and tools for families, teachers, schools and parents can reveal communities, groups and organizations that can help increase awareness. One example is the global initiative for online safety education called <a data-link-label=\"https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/initiative-education/internet-safety-kids-families.html\" data-link-type=\"external\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/initiative-education/internet-safety-kids-families.html\">Internet Safety for Kids and Families or ISKF</a>, and its goal is to educate and promote awareness of how parents can establish the foundations for online safety and how children can be great digital citizens.\"</p><p><br></p><p>Pilao continues: “Even if parents are not as savvy as their children when it comes to the latest technology, sites or apps, it's important for parents to at least be aware of how these are commonly used. For instance, even if parents themselves don't use social media, it's important that they have an idea of the platforms' features so they [understand] how their children use them.\"</p><p><br></p><p>Given that online safety for children is a global concern, there are several other options for parents seeking information and tips:</p><p><br></p><p><a data-link-label=\"https://consumer.ftc.gov/identity-theft-and-online-security/protecting-kids-online\" data-link-type=\"external\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://consumer.ftc.gov/identity-theft-and-online-security/protecting-kids-online\">The Federal Trade Commission</a> has an entire series of posts on protecting kids online</p><p><a data-link-label=\"https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/net-safety.html\" data-link-type=\"external\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/net-safety.html\">KidsHealth</a> relays basic but essential internet guidelines for parents</p><p><a data-link-label=\"https://www.iwf.org.uk/\" data-link-type=\"external\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.iwf.org.uk/\">The Internet Watch Foundation</a> protects child victims whose images are put online</p><p><a data-link-label=\"https://www.friendlywifi.com/\" data-link-type=\"external\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.friendlywifi.com/\">Friendly WiFi</a> promotes a safe standard for public Wi-Fi</p><p><a data-link-label=\"https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/\" data-link-type=\"external\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/online-safety/\">The National Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children</a> offers tips on online safety</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "e090a1006e9906a9a457d91731", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32px", "spacerSize" : "32px" } }, { "id" : "d2ee8a1433ef18acdaf7c3f6bb", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>Knowing the Risks</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>When parents permit their kids to use the internet without monitoring, they are exposing them to risks.</p><p><br></p><p>“The biggest online danger is parents taking a blind eye because they either don't think their children would do something inappropriate or because they aren't educated [about] technology,\" says Charles Henson, a managing partner at <a data-link-label=\"https://www.nashvillecomputer.com/\" data-link-type=\"external\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.nashvillecomputer.com/\">Nashville Computer Inc.</a>, a Tennessee-based provider of managed IT services. He stresses that there are countless dangers in allowing children of any age to be online without guidance.</p><p><br></p><p>Casual use is also a problem, with kids sometimes spending more time online that interacting in the real world. While accusations of “rotting the brain\" was leveled at TV in years past, what is the impact of continuous online use, with beeps, tweets, whistles and vibrations a constant interruption?</p><p><br></p><p>\"Today's children start using these devices when they can barely hold them,\" says Henson. \"Parents often put their child behind a tablet while fixing dinner. But it doesn't stop there, [parents] do it even when the kid isn't asking for entertainment, like sitting in a shopping cart while they shops.\"</p><p><br></p><p>Is such reliance a good idea?</p><p><br></p><p>“Nowadays adults find it convenient to use the internet and mobile technology as the readily available babysitter,\" says Trend's Pilao. \"Nevertheless, their screen time should be monitored via the amount of time they spend online as compared to offline, and apps and sites they are exposed to should be age-appropriate. The same goes for children already in school. Pre-teen ages can be the best time to make them conscious and aware that what they share, visit and search is public and permanent, and that online content can be a mix of good and bad.\"</p><p><br></p><p>Pilao also confirms that Trend Micro has identified an increase in social engineering methods by hackers, who use information available online to gain access to sensitive or PII (personally identifiable information). \"Users' social media pages tend to be a source of information for malicious characters online, used to impersonate them, to get more sensitive data like addresses, bank accounts and credit card credentials. Photos can be used to track your whereabouts and find a pattern of when you're home or not, or user accounts can be hijacked to send phishing emails, malware or false information to your contacts. Our information—and our children's information—are available to family and friends. Unfortunately, it's also potentially available to cyberbullies, online criminals, stalkers and trolls.\"</p><p><br></p><p>In light of these modern risks, what actions can parents take?</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "88685abc5f12787db968501f84", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32px", "spacerSize" : "32px" } }, { "id" : "844e525db62e7fa3fc3fbba25f", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>Take an Inventory</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Armed with general knowledge of the potential online risks to children, parents can make a list of all devices that connect to the internet, both wired and wireless.</p><p><br></p><p>Consider your internet connection, it may be based on a hard-wired cable to your home (either copper or fiber optic), be bundled with your cable or satellite TV subscription, or simply be limited to mobile broadband from your cellphone carrier. Regardless of the connection type, you will likely be dealing with a router, hub or use a smartphone as a WiFi hotspot (in the case of mobile broadband) to allow other devices to connect. In this instance, you are concerned with all devices that can connect to the internet, such as smart TVs, smart speakers (Alexa, for example), gaming systems and handhelds, and of course, desktops, laptops, tablets and smartphones.</p><p><br></p><p>Make a list of all such devices and identify the manufacturer or brand name, model number, operating system (if applicable) and parental control requirements. The operating system will determine the parental control options available. In addition, most internet browsers have a \"safe search\" option that will filter out many sites that are unsuitable for children.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "7944200a99119c5a46e25c1ca4", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32px", "spacerSize" : "32px" } }, { "id" : "11691db66cbb810367ea814c42", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>The Parental Control Options</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>By employing device-specific solutions and using safe-search options in browsers, many age-inappropriate sites are automatically blocked at the device level.</p><p><br></p><p>If you are seeking a quick list of precautions for home networks and devices, consider the following advice from Pilau:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>Before purchasing a device, do some research about its security reputation and features, which information is collected and why, how the collected information is protected, who has access to the information and if you can opt out.</li><li>Frequently change your passwords and make them complicated. Default passwords are easy to access and hackers can use routers and other devices as entry points to steal information, manipulate and control connections and devices, or control other devices.</li><li>Practice good password hygiene. Don't recycle usernames and passwords for multiple accounts.</li><li>Enable network firewalls. This is your first line of defense against attacks.</li><li>Review social media pages' privacy settings and check the permissions you allow in exchange for their use. This determines the amount of personal information you share publicly.</li><li>Use two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever offered. Social media networks offer this feature and can enhance account security. Layered protection is still stronger than just one credential request.</li><li>Consider activating parental controls on the devices your children use to screen the content of the sites and apps they visit and use, as well as set the time limit for internet access.</li><li>Avoid connecting to unsecure public WiFi networks. Hackers within range can use these networks as entry points for manipulation and access.</li><li>Regularly download updates for your device, apps, router firmware and software from legitimate vendors to patch exploitable vulnerabilities.</li></ul>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "5941cfeae515f8a28d0e892757", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32px", "spacerSize" : "32px" } }, { "id" : "2a89d43969f04865c29e88a338", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>The Security vs. Privacy Debate</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Before taking a hard line on parental control, it is worth considering security versus privacy. Teens value privacy and will find ways around blocks put in place by parents.</p><p><br></p><p>“Security and privacy often overlap, but they're not the same thing,\" says Paul Bischoff, a privacy advocate for <a data-link-label=\"https://www.comparitech.com/\" data-link-type=\"external\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://www.comparitech.com/\">Comparitech.com</a>, a UK-based provider of hardware and software reviews and comparisons. \"Security can certainly be provided without invading a teen's privacy. As a parent, ask yourself, 'Am I concerned about who can see my kids, or am I concerned about what my kids see?' The former is more of a security concern and you should take steps to reduce your child's digital footprint. The latter will require you to intrude on your child's privacy to some extent, such as parental monitoring software. However, for older kids, I recommend joining the same social networks and following them to monitor from a safe distance.\"</p><p><br></p><p>Parents who want to protect their kids on the internet must do so in a manner that embraces the benefits of technology, rather than preventing access to all but whitelisted sites. “Parents should always remember to lead by example,\" says Pilau. \"We need to empower them to be discerning, responsible and informed of its ins and outs.\"</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "705035a1b4cfe4430178c36f47", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] } ] }, { "id" : "column2", "components" : [ { "id" : "0ac099b28814e5b5fc3298c6f3", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.shopStory", "data" : { "navHeadline" : "RELATED PRODUCTS", "bgColor" : "Transparent", "swipeMobile" : false, "theme" : "Dark Text", "useCustomBgColor" : false }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "4a8c86e458cf53651a9f31bdd0", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "MX4200", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } }, { "id" : "b7eacff98904612273c41b44da", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "MR5500", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } }, { "id" : "5b743758f6f41a6a0ec0887dba", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.productTile", "data" : { "product" : "MX8502", "displayRatings" : false, "displaySwatches" : false } } ] } ] } ] } ] }, { "id" : "8ce241e04407f25d58361435d2", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } } ] } ] }
{ "id" : "what-is-a-vpn-router", "name" : "What Is a VPN Router?", "type_id" : "resourceArticle", "data" : { "articleImage" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/resource_image_business_article_vpn-router_1000x750.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "articleTitleOverride" : "What Is a VPN Router?", "alt" : "Illustration of an access point", "articleDescOverride" : "A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a secure tunnel that extends from within your company across the Web." }, "custom" : { "articleImage" : "https://www.linksys.com/on/demandware.static/-/Library-Sites-Linksys-Shared-Library/default/dw2900c293/images/Articles/resource_image_business_article_vpn-router_1000x750.jpg", "articleImageAlt" : "Illustration of an access point", "articleTitle" : "What Is a VPN Router?", "articleDesc" : "A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a secure tunnel that extends from within your company across the Web.", "articleURL" : "https://www.linksys.com/what-is-a-vpn-router.html" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "main", "components" : [ { "id" : "ee94993f23856eb016c5893963", "name" : "Breadcrumbs", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.breadcrumbs", "data" : { "border" : true, "lvl1Link" : "https://www.linksys.com/resource-center.html", "lvl2Text" : "What Is a VPN Router?", "lvl1Text" : "Resource Center" } }, { "id" : "ce8db6763691a9cf11eb5f3659", "name" : "Article Main", "type_id" : "commerce_layouts.article2Col", "data" : { "layoutOptions" : "75% | 25%", "fullWidth" : false, "orderMobile" : "Col 1 First, Col 2 Second", "borderBetween" : "Include Border" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "column1", "components" : [ { "id" : "6e6e7beb698b574fd6e878ef1b", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Default - 16px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h1>What Is a VPN Router?</h1>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 2", "theme" : "Dark Text" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns", "components" : [ { "id" : "a98f2cbe97858aa319e0883887", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.photoTile", "data" : { "image" : { "path" : "/images/Articles/resource_image_business_article_vpn-router_1000x750.jpg", "focal_point" : { "x" : 0.5, "y" : 0.5 }, "meta_data" : { "height" : 750, "width" : 1000 } }, "photoAlign" : "Center" } } ] } ] }, { "id" : "9eb6ee009c01d19389b8b86d60", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "25", "spacerSize" : "50" } }, { "id" : "a13056f20ab39906dc9851b7d8", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16px", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Default", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>While your business is just starting out, you can probably get away with using standard, consumer-grade routers. But once you need to connect more than a handful of remote devices to the company’s network, it’s time to upgrade. For a more robust, consistent, and secure experience, a VPN router may be the better choice.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "46bff801daa299c47a8460a6f4", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "b06c643a653d5734415f746c63", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>VPNs Explained</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>A Virtual Private Network (VPN) creates a secure tunnel that extends from within your company across the Web. This enables 24/7 secure access to central network resources from anywhere in the world without the need to dial into the office directly. Much like a firewall protects data on the office computers, VPNs are designed to protect it online. Data is encrypted as it travels through the VPN tunnel, ensuring secure access over public connections and safeguarding the data from unauthorized hacker sniffing.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "f8229050b0a798a0436ad5542d", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } }, { "id" : "5ef7c7611b79ee159adf11a1da", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>VPN Use Cases</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>According to the latest study on U.S. Census Bureau data conducted by <a data-link-label=\"https://globalworkplaceanalytics.com/\" data-link-type=\"external\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https://globalworkplaceanalytics.com/\">Global Workplace Analytics</a>, 50% of American workers have a job that's compatible with remote work, and approximately 20-25% work remotely in some capacity. In the current business environment, where remote work is no longer a perk but a business imperative, VPNs offer secure access to remote employees or field associates who need to safely connect over untrusted, public networks. In a multi-branch situation, VPNs are useful for bridging secure connections between several offices or remote data centers.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "9abac42afdf413c2e5f89019cf", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32px", "spacerSize" : "32px" } }, { "id" : "74b013974444b637f89e60a917", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>The VPN Connection Distinction</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>Some types of VPNs require the remote computer user to log in using installed software, while others allow you to connect an entire remote site via a dedicated VPN router. The question is—which is best for your business needs?</p><p><br></p><p>Most standard WiFi routers support VPN pass-through functionality, which means the VPN user on a remote computer passes through the router and connects to your company's VPN server. The user manually logs in using software installed on their remote device. Once the connection is initiated, it cannot be shared with other devices on the same network. This scenario is ideal for remote or mobile workers—once they have the VPN software on their device, they can access the company network from pretty much anywhere.</p><p><br></p><p>A VPN router, on the other hand, establishes the connection at the hardware level for the entire site, without the need for individual software installations. All of the devices in one remote office—computers, tablets, smartphones, and smart TVs—can simultaneously access the VPN server at the headquarter office via the remote office network. This process resembles a broadband Internet connection, giving the whole remote office continuous network access.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "7e1fb6720f3cbb71beedb167ae", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32px", "spacerSize" : "32px" } }, { "id" : "c3474c21e5cd68bfa7b6a020ac", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>Easy VPN Setup</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>VPN routers are typically complicated and difficult for a tech novice to set up, but some feature EasyLink technology, which performs the configuration for you. EasyLink simplifies the traditional, complex VPN setup configuration workflow into 3 simple steps: username, password, and IP address. Simply install the software on your computer and follow the on-screen prompts. EasyLink allows you to comfortably manage your router without the need for extensive IT knowledge or an expensive call to a computer technician.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] }, { "id" : "053188157b76cf55c3c19101c3", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32px", "spacerSize" : "32px" } }, { "id" : "3497188c553ea3f6b607ea0c1d", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.editorialRichText", "data" : { "descSize" : "Small - 14px", "eyebrowSize" : "Default - 16px", "spacing" : "16", "textPosition" : "Center", "descCol" : "1 Column", "heading" : "<h3>Reasons to Upgrade to a Business-Class VPN Router</h3>", "vertAlign" : "Top", "textAlign" : "Left", "headingStyle" : "Heading 4", "theme" : "Dark Text", "desc" : "<p>With a business-class VPN router, you can:</p><p><br></p><ul><li>Deliver secure, reliable remote connectivity to your company's data and internal resources at any time from anywhere.</li><li>Create timesaving and cost-effective business processes for your customers, employees, and partners.</li><li>Facilitate seamless work collaboration.</li><li>Improve the reliability of remote connections and reduce your overall IT costs.</li></ul><p>When it comes to making the jump from a standard consumer router to a business-class VPN model, the security, reliability, ease of use, and cost savings make the decision an easy one for many small businesses.</p>" }, "regions" : [ { "id" : "textBoxBtns" } ] } ] }, { "id" : "column2" } ] }, { "id" : "8e05abfbe2645e60a578921f01", "type_id" : "commerce_assets.spacer", "data" : { "spacerSizeMobile" : "32", "spacerSize" : "32" } } ] } ] }
6 of 14