Do You Really Need SMB Router?

 You have probably wondered "Can I use the home router for work"?The answer is yes, it is possible to use a consumer router and provide multiple desktops, laptops, tablets, and smartphones with Internet connection BUT ... Even in the short term, you will lose a lot in terms of scalability, remote access, and security. If you've read the ITC secure network series on small business networks, you know the importance of network security.

The main difference lies in the safety functions. Consumer routers can offer high Internet speeds, but when it comes to remote access, redundancy and security standards, and most importantly, the benefits of a Commercial Router come to the fore.

So what should you consider when buying a Routers for Business? It all depends on the complicity of your corporate network and the number of users. More complex office networks require routers with multiple ports and wireless access points. Here are the top 10 features to highlight.

Security

Always start with security. The WPA and WPA2 (Wi-Fi Protected Access) encryption standards are important. WPA2 is the latest security encryption for Wi-Fi signal, adopted in 2006. Having a router encrypted with the password WPA2 closes the door on 90% of hackers. The intrusion, in this case, is possible only at the company level. If you buy a professional router that is a brand new model, starting from 2018, it could support the WPA3 standard, introduced in January 2018.

Also, look for a professional router with an integrated firewall. In this way, the office network will be protected from intrusion by the public Internet network.

Another thing to check is an option to connect to the guest wireless network. The main advantage of the guest wireless network capability is that it controls who can access the office network.

The DMZ door is also one of the security layers you need to consider. Basically, DMZ is a small network between the corporate network and the public Internet. The DMZ (demilitarized zone) port is used to isolate one or more computers (which require direct Internet access, such as an FTP server, a mail server, and a Web server) on a dedicated subnet and thus protects computers in the event that the entire network is compromised or under cyber attack. Some Manage Routers allow computers to be assigned to the DMZ in the settings, without the need for dedicated DMZ ports.

Number of ports (WAN and LAN)The more doors, the better. The LAN (local area network) port allows multiple devices, such as IP phones, to be connected to the router. You can still use a switch and increase the number of devices connected to the router, but try to choose one with at least 4 LAN ports. The Wide Area Network (WAN) the port is required if you want to use the router as a connection between LAN and WAN. The corporate router must have at least one WAN port. 

Wireless protocol = speed

That's all about speed. Regardless of the complexity of the network and the number of users, a professional router that supports at least 802.11n protocol is required. But if you buy a router for years to come, choose 802.11ac. There is an even newer 802.11ac protocol, but many computers don't support it yet, so there's no need to search for this bandwidth.

Strong signal

To ensure complete network coverage with a strong signal, a router capable of transmitting the signal to multiple offices is required. Of course, if you use multiple large rooms, we recommend using two or more Wi-Fi routers. If you need to cover several floors of buildings with signal routers, use 4 antennas and an extended range. The number of users plays an important role here. If you have more than 10 users on the network, don't rely on a single router.

Dual-band support

Or even three tape holders? There are routers that only communicate in 2.4 GHz or in a combination with the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. Professional mast band routers support one 2.4 GHz band and two 5 GHz bands (we are not talking about the 5G data network). For a corporate network with more than 10 users, choose a dual-band router.

Quality of service

This feature will give you the ability to prioritize certain data packets and thus influence network traffic. A typical example is the use of VoIP phones. If multiple users on the network are playing large video files, the service for IP phones may become slow and unstable. QoS will help you balance and prioritize important services within the network. Sometimes it is necessary to configure the router, but in most cases the configuration is predefined.

WAN Backup

It's great to have redundancy on the network. Some commercial routers have backup WAN ports. When you lose your internet connection or your internet provider isn't working, you can simply add a 4G card and avoid downtime.

Content Management

Many entrepreneurs have suffered a loss of productivity in recent years. Employees spend so much time on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Routers with the option to filter content with certain keywords can block traffic to desired sites. This is a very similar function with the parental controls used in home routers.

RADIUS Support

This feature may not be secure. RADIUS is the safest option to access an office network but requires a dedicated server, which means it is complicated to configure. An IT specialist will be required to configure RADIUS for wireless access. Basically, authentication is required between the RADIUS server and the client running on the router to access the network.

Price

Finally and very important. As with many other things, the budget is a determining factor. If you want fast, reliable and secure traffic on your corporate network, try spending as much as possible. A router, a server, and a firewall form the basis of your computer system. Paying around $ 300 for a professional router can be expensive, but it is much cheaper than constant network problems and downtime.

Not all routers are created equal. There are high-end professional models and routers. Make a decision-based on business needs, a number of users shared devices on the office network (printer, fax, file server, etc.) and the complexity of the network.