Have You Outgrown Your Router?
By Chad A. Johnson · May 25, 2008
Let me guess, the oldest piece of technology in your home office is the router. Am I right?
This holds true for most real estate agents. There just doesn’t appear to be a compelling reason to invest in newer technology. That is what I thought until I did a little research. Since then, I have retired my trusty 802.11g router for a new, cutting-edge model.
Originally, you probably bought your router so that multiple computers could share a broadband connection. Plus, the added benefit of a wireless signal gave you the freedom to use your laptop from the couch. For these simple needs, that old router is fine. I’m here to tell you that your needs have grown beyond those simple tasks.
Ask yourself these questions to identify how your home network needs have changed:
- Do you work primarily from home?
- Has your broadband connection speed increased (10 Mbps compared to 1.5 Mbps)?
- Do you have a network connected printer, external hard drive or maybe even a new Windows Home Server?
- Have you used VOIP (Skype) to make phone calls and video chat?
- Are you a YouTube junkie?
- Have you filled up your iPod by downloading music from iTunes?
- Have you conducted an online meeting (GoToMeeting)?
- Are you or your child known as a master of Worlds of Warcraft?
- Have you remotely accessed your home computer (GoToMyPC)?
- Are your recent vacation photos on Flickr?
I was going to come up with a scoring system to provide a numerical value, but that would be too much like Cosmopolitan magazine. Just know that if you answered yes to even two of the preceding questions, you are a candidate for a router upgrade.
Here is what the latest crop of home routers will give you:
- WPA – The old WEP security encryption for wireless signals is easily cracked. WPA is more secure and easier to configure since you can use a phrase or sentence as the encryption code (no more typing in a 26 digit hexidecimal code to give a house guest’s laptop Internet access).
- Gigabit transfer speed – 100 Mb wired networks are painfully slow for transferring large multimedia files. Gigabit will move movies and music files between computers 10 times faster.
- 802.11N – While the latest wireless standard has yet to be ratified, it is close enough to invest in. 802.11N is faster than the B and G standards, but the real benefit is in signal strength. That means a stronger signal throughout your house and even into the backyard (no dead zones).
- Intelligent QoS – Think of this as prioritizing of your network needs. This makes it so that downloading music doesn’t lower your Skype call quality.
- USB storage connection – Turn any USB hard drive or flash drive into network storage.
- Automatic firmware updates – Makes router maintenance a breeze.
- Dual-band signals – Transmitting on both 2.4 and 5 gigahertz keeps cordless phones, microwave ovens and baby monitors from interfering with your wireless signal.
- LCD display – Network status updates without having to log into an admin page.
There isn’t a single router on the market that incorporated all of these features, so you will need to identify what features are most important to your needs.
Here are four routers to consider when upgrading your home network:
- D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router
- Linksys WRT600N – Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router
- Netgear WNR3500 RANGEMAX WIRELESS- N GIGABIT ROUTER
- Belkin N1 Vision
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This is a great post, and extremely relevant! I’m still using my trusty broadband wireless B router, and I was looking for a good reason to upgrade. I answer yes to all of the questions, so I’m going out to get a new router!
WOW – timely I just bought the Wireless N today — all set up and ready to go. The decision was made easier by the new laptop(motherboard died) with “N” already built in.
Back to skype. Is this the best service for real estate pros over the normal AT&T phone land lines?
I definitely think that VOIP, whether Skype, Vonage or a cable provider’s solution, should be considered for any real estate professional who tends to make long distance calls regularly. The savings can be huge.
If you tend to work with relocation clients, Skype’s video conferencing can add to your level of transparency. If you can’t talk face-to-face, video calls are the next best thing.
Thanks Chad!
Hi Chad, Great article as always. I’ll be upgrading my router shortly! Question…In your past articles on on laptop purchase recommendations (and desktops) do you have any updates to this articles? Since it’s been a few months I’m sure there’s new things out that you may now recommend. I’ve got to upgrade both very soon. Thanks a lot. Doug
Not much has changed on the desktop or laptop fronts in the last few months. The main difference is price reductions.
For desktops, Core 2 Quad processors are so cheap that they are a necessity. Go for 3GB of RAM and think about adding Bluetooth (for transferring data and photos from your phone).
For laptops, LEDs are becoming more widely available and cheaper. I wouldn’t buy a laptop without one. Solid State Drives are about to go mainstream as Seagate has announced plans to produce drives. Might be worth waiting for as they are faster, more stable and more energy efficient. Lastly, AMD announced a new laptop system, called Puma, that will be hitting the market within days. These systems could rival Intel and save a few bucks (to be spent on an SSD and LED screen).
Thanks Chad I appreciate the update!
Doug,
One last thing to look out for.
I have seen more and more systems for sale that are running 64-bit versions of Vista. I am still weary as to software and peripheral compatibility with 64-bit operating systems.
Stick with 32-bit versions of Vista to keep life simple.