Today`s SMB owners and managers should consider four basic characteristics of routers when evaluating what router to buy for their network - and when to buy it: security, wired and wireless integration, physical connection to the WAN and price.
In saying this, not all routers are the same, and an old router in a current network could pose a serious security threat to the business or reduce business productivity. Choosing the wrong router can cost a business more than expected in the long-term.
Most SMBs that operate over a private network infrastructure or the public Internet must take the necessary steps to ensure that all company data is protected and secured against unauthorised access. To address these important needs, solutions must incorporate the latest in security and control features, such as support for access control lists, RADIUS authentication, advanced filtering, SPI (stateful packet inspection) firewalling and VPN (virtual private network) capability.
At the same time, business customers are seeking the best value, which is a combination of low price and feature richness. Low-end routers, geared toward SMBs, are generally price-competitive and some include newer connectivity options for integrating wired connectivity such as ADSL, and wireless technology such as WiFi. New "all-in-one" products have incorporated wireless networking and basic security features into affordable solutions, fitting well within a typically limited business budget.
How to determine the right router
The choice of the correct router for a business depends on the answers to the following questions. The answers to these questions in turn depend on the particular business objectives, geography, number and distribution of users, service provider offerings and degree of "price sensitivity".
* What is the reason for needing to buy a router? Is it e-mail and Web access? Is it for a remote LAN connection to another office or facility? Or is it VPN remote access or voice applications? The answers depend on business objectives and the distributed nature of the business.
* Is the router going to be connected to the public Internet or to a private network provided by a service provider? The answer depends on what is available in the particular location, and the costs associated with different options.
* Will a fixed amount of bandwidth between locations be required to handle voice and data applications? The answer depends on the amount of network traffic generated by, and the flexibility of business-critical applications. Price-sensitivity is also a factor.
* Will the SMB be connecting remote offices or allow access for telecommuters? The answer depends on the business objectives, number and distribution of users, and price sensitivity.
After these questions are answered, the business customer has to decide whether to purchase the router from a retail store, an online catalogue or a service provider.
Routers that are bought from retail stores or online are typically designed only for connection to the Ethernet port of a DSL modem, or directly to a DSL line. These solutions, although extremely popular in some markets, are suitable when there is no need for dedicated bandwidth between locations or users.
In other environments, because the SMB is entrusting its daily operation to the router network, business customers have more confidence in a service provider that delivers good service and support. If the router has a problem, the business owner or manager needs to know the issue will be resolved as soon as possible.
By purchasing a router solution through a service provider, a user will likely have more confidence that the most appropriate router for the specific environment has been selected and deployed.
What drives businesses to buy routers?
The following are primary reasons why businesses are investing in routers to have reliable, easy-to-use networks that support their business operations:
* Internet access and e-mail, or the need to work with large customers` e-business systems;
* VPN remote access and site-to-site tunnels;
* The latest advanced features and functionality (security, QoS, multicasting, access control lists and encryption);
* Network telephony and video conferencing; and
* Addition of remote locations and users.
Helpful tips for buying a router
When a wide area network is deployed using traditional point-to-point or multi-point WAN (wide area network) links, the router should provide the proper mix of available features and functionality.
Routers of this class will include IP routing, IPX routing, quality of service, multicasting and more. If a connection to the public Internet is required, additional security and remote access software features should also include firewall and VPN capabilities to protect the internal business network from hackers and unauthorised access to company resources.
When a wide area network is built upon a public infrastructure (ie the Internet) where security is of main concern, more emphasis should be placed upon firewall support and VPN access for site-to-site tunnelling or remote user access to corporate resources.
If price is the primary issue, basic connectivity can be achieved for an even lower cost using routers sold as Internet-sharing devices. While more suitable for SMBs or the home worker, these devices provide adequate bandwidth and security for the cost-conscious business that needs Internet access for e-mail and basic Web activity.
In conclusion, companies can take advantage of a wide variety of routers, choosing the type of router that best meets their business requirements.
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