With the advances in technology, all-in-one devices are aplenty nowadays. Printers that can print, scan, copy and even fax. Smartphones that can make a call, browse the Net, take photos, and everything in between. There are many others that already exist or are still in the drawing boards.
For home and small office Internet connections, the newest all-in-one device is the wireless ADSL modem router. This little contraption combines the functions of a wireless access point, a modem, a router, firewall, and even a VoIP device. And it’s no bigger than a hardbound novel.
Combining all of these functions in one device eliminates the need for multiple devices and criss-crossing mesh of cables. It also trims down cost and power consumption. But why ADSL?
The Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line simultaneously transmits data and voice calls on standard telephone lines using different channels. The ‘splitter’ is installed in the telephone wall socket to distinguish these channels. The data channel is then fed to the modem which communicates with the computer.
Because of its simplicity and relatively low cost in using existing phone lines, ADSL is probably the only choice for SOHO users wanting reliable and inexpensive Internet access. Yet since this connection is “always on” security may be at risk so it is a must to have a firewall.
In this day and age, households and small offices usually have two or more computers so this ADSL connection is oftentimes shared and the computers networked. And for cable reduction and mobility purposes, these home-based networks normally involve a wireless one.
Welcome the birth of the all-in-one device that combines all these and more. Value for money, indeed. Wireless ADSL modem routers have integrated ADSL modems and a standard four-port Ethernet switch for old-fashion hardwired networking, expandable by cascading more hubs and switches. These modem routers also have hardware-based SPI or stateful packet inspection firewall which is better than software-based firewalls that constantly pester you with those popup messages about possible security breaches or the need to allow programs to access the Web.
For added security, the internal wireless access point which commonly supports 802.11b/g specifications offers 64- and 128-bit WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy) encryption or the latest and more secure WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access) standards.
With most of these routers, local access to lists of Internet pages can be blocked. Linking to the wireless component can be allowed only to specific computers and gadgets. And all modern wireless ADSL modem routers are also in charge of assigning local IP addresses, which would mean less hassle for the network administrator. Installation is very easy, almost anyone can do it. And the cost is far less than all those devices and solutions combined.
Thanks to this small wonder of a gadget the Internet has become accessible to people around the world, right in the comfort of their homes.
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