Gain an understanding of WiFi routers and how they work. Learn about the different types of routers and which would work best for your home or business.

What does a WiFi router do?

A router and modem are a team that allows your devices like tablets, smart TVs, and connected home devices to the Internet. A router is like a switchboard operator in a building. The router connects your devices to the (Cable, DSL, LTE) modem’s outgoing Internet line. Without a router, your modem can only connect one wired device to the Internet at-a-time. A router connects many local devices together, but without a modem and Internet connection, none of these devices can reach the Internet.

How does a router work?

Your devices connect to a router through its WiFi signal or through its wired Ethernet ports. Once devices connect, the router assigns each device a unique number called an IP address. The router then acts as the gatekeeper to your modem, moving data between each IP address and the modem. As a gatekeeper, the router can shape traffic performance, act as a firewall to secure data, and even allow or block traffic to specific websites. Since routers perform many different functions, they are available with various performance capabilities, WiFi speeds, radio configurations, and number of Ethernet ports. Business routers without WiFi radios are also available and are mostly used in conjunction with Wireless access points. Read more info on routers in our knowledge base.

What is a dual-band router?

Dual-band routers have two WiFi radios. Most WiFi 5 routers (also known as 802.11ac, or AC WiFi) have both a 2.4 GHz and a 5 GHz radio. These different radio frequency bands enable both old and new WiFi devices to connect to your network, preserving compatibility despite the rapid evolution in performance that WiFi has experienced in the past 25+ years. Fortunately, WiFi devices will automatically detect and connect to the fastest WiFi band within range. Dual-band routers are very common but, read on to learn about tri-band technology and more.

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What is a tri-band router? What are quad-band routers?
WiFi radio frequencies and available bands have increased over the years to provide faster speeds and performance. Tri-band routers have 3 WiFi bands, usually with a single 2.4 GHz band and two 5 GHz bands. Tri-band routers automatically assign connected devices to a WiFi radio with the least congestion and highest performance. Tri-band wireless mesh systems can also use the 3rd band as a powerful fast lane backhaul channel to mesh satellites and wireless extenders. Development of the WiFi specification continues and the available WiFi frequencies have increased from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz, and the latest WiFi 6E specification introduced a new 6 GHz frequency. WiFi 6E routers have at least one ultra-fast 6 GHz WiFi channel and can be found in tri-band and quad-band configurations.