cisco-linksys wrt54g wireless-g router
amazon.com product description the linksys wireless-g broadband router is really three devices in one box . first it s a wireless access point which lets you connect wireless-g or wireless-b devices to the network . there s also a built-in four-port full-duplex 10 100 switch to connect your wired-ethernet devices . connect four pcs directly or daisy-chain out to more hubs and switches to create as big a network as you need . finally the router function ties it all together and lets your whole network share a high-speed cable or dsl internet connection . to protect your data and privacy the wireless-g broadband router can encrypt all wireless transmissions and it supports the industrial-strength wireless security of 802.1 x authentication and authorization . the router can serve as a dhcp server has nat technology to protect against internet intruders supports vpn pass-through and can be configured to filter internal users access to the internet . configuration is a snap with the web browser-based configuration utility . with the linksys wireless-g broadband router at the center of your home or office network you can share a high-speed internet connection files printers and multiplayer games with the flexibility speed and security you need wireless-g is the 54 mbps wireless networking standard that s more than four times faster than the widely deployed wireless-b 802.11 b products found in homes businesses and public wireless hotspots around the country . but since they share the same 2.4 ghz radio band wireless-g devices can also interoperate with existing 11 mbps wireless-b equipment . because both standards are built-in you can protect your investment in existing 802.11 b infrastructure and migrate to the new screaming-fast wireless-g standard as your needs grow . for more information on the differences between an access point and a router with access point see the following table see a comparison diagram of the different wireless technologies . wireless networks are rapidly becoming more popular and coming down in price . since they don t require cables you can use the devices anywhere in an office or home even out on the patio . there s no need to roll out an ethernet network cable to each room of a house you can network anywhere -- without wires . outside the home wireless networking is available in hotspots at coffee shops businesses and airports -- great when you re on the road and need to get some work done . for convenience wireless networking is the answer . which wireless standard is right for me now that you ve decided to create a wireless network the next step is to figure out which wireless standard to use . basically a standard is a set of specifications for a device . all devices that follow a specific standard share operating characteristics such as the radio frequency used and maximum data transfer speed . for wireless networking there are three standards to choose from at this time 802.11 b 802.11 a 802.11 g to learn about the differences between the standards and select the right one for your network click here for an easy-to-understand chart .