A1 | Routers, LAN, and WiFi

Here you will learn about the various types of networks, what a router is, and how to set it up. These skills are particularly useful when setting up your home office.

• 1. What is WiFi, and what is LAN?

  Most of the time, we talk about either WiFi or LAN in the context of an internet connection. These terms signify a network of one or more devices connected to the internet through a router.

  Most offices use LAN, but also provide WiFi. If you would like to establish a LAN connection through a cable connected between your computer and the router, your device will need to have a corresponding LAN port. Smartphones and tablets do not have this type of port, but are capable of using WiFi.

  What do WiFi and LAN stand for?

  LAN stands for “Local Area Network,” such as at home, in the office, at the airport, or in a library. While WiFi is not technically an acronym or abbreviation, you can think of the “Wi” portion of the term indicating a “wireless” network.

  Got it!

• 2. Which is better, WiFi or LAN?

  

  With a WiFi connection, you are flexible to move around freely without any annoying cables in the way. WiFi connections are usually not slower than LAN connections.

   

  

  LAN connections allow lightning-fast transfers, and are more stable than WiFi connections since they do not rely on good radio contact with the router.

   

  Most people find WiFi connections to be a more suitable option for surfing the internet, but this connection type can experience slowdowns.

  It may be suitable to switch to a LAN connection when…

  • …many devices are connected to one router. The bandwidth is split among the devices.
  • …you are in an area within the range of several WiFi signals. Since all routers use the same frequencies, there can be connection problems during peak times.
  • …there are thick walls or other obstacles between your device and the router. While walls can weaken WiFi signals, LAN connections remain unaffected.

   

  What is latency?
  

  LAN connections have lower latency, meaning that the response times between the sender and receiver are shorter. This is important whenever you want to surf without lag, such as during video conferences.

   

  Got it!

• 3. What is a router?

  

  A router is the interface between your devices (notebook, PC, smartphone, tablet) and the internet. You need a router to be able to surf the web.

  The router connects different networks and sends data packets between them – for example, between the internet and your household WiFi connection. When you want to access a website, the router forwards your request and sends the requested data to your device in return. Without a router, it is not possible to access the internet in your home or office.

  Got it!

• 4. How do I set up my router?

  To surf the internet at home or in the office, you first need to set up your router. Most routers come with an easy-to-understand, step-by-step guide and handle the most important setup steps almost automatically.

  Here’s how to set it up:

  1. Plug the router into an electrical outlet.
  2. Connect the router to your internet connection, either through DSL (telephone line) or a cable connection.
  3. Now turn the router on and wait for it to be ready. This may take a few minutes.

   

  Pro Tip:
  

  Change your network name and password. You can adjust your router settings through your internet browser. Each router has its own IP address within its home network, which can be found in the router’s manual (for example, it might be 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.2.1). Simply type this address into your browser’s address bar, and enter the pre-set password, which can also be found in the manual or on a sticker on the router itself. Once the password has been entered, you can change a variety of router settings, such as the network name and password.

  Got it!

• 5. How do I (securely) connect my devices to the router?

  You can connect your devices to the router either through WiFi or by using a LAN cable:

   

  

  Connecting via WiFi:

  To establish a WiFi connection, you first need the WiFi network’s name and password. You can usually find this information on a sticker on the router itself. First, enable WiFi on your device, then search for your network name and tap on it. Now you can just follow the instructions on the screen.

  

  Connecting via LAN cable:

  If you want to establish an internet connection through a cable, that’s even easier. Just plug one end of the cable into the corresponding router port, and the other end into the appropriate port on your notebook or PC. The connection should now be established automatically, which is indicated on Windows computers by a small icon at the bottom right. Mac users can see the WiFi symbol at the top right of the menu bar, but Apple has not provided a unique symbol for a LAN cable connection.

  Got it!