ASUS RT-N66U

A device that allows wireless devices to connect to a wired network using Wi-Fi. Access points extend wireless connectivity in buildings or public places.

A device that routes data between a local area network (LAN) and larger networks such as the Internet. It can also provide other functions such as a firewall or VPN.

A router that transmits on two frequency bands, usually 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. This provides greater flexibility and performance as the 5 GHz band is usually less congested and offers faster speeds, while the 2.4 GHz band has better range but can be slower due to interference.

Wi-Fi Protected Setup is a mechanism that makes it easier to connect new devices to secure WiFi networks. It allows users to easily connect to the network without having to enter a complex password. However, it is known to have several security weaknesses.

This is an outdated method of encrypting WiFi networks that uses a 64-bit key. Although it was commonly used in the past, it is now considered insecure due to its ease of breaking.

Like its 64-bit version, this protocol provides slightly stronger security due to a longer encryption key, but is just as vulnerable and is not recommended for use in modern networks.

WPA-PSK is a variant of WPA that allows you to protect your wireless network using a pre-shared password. This password is shared between all devices that have access to the Wi-Fi network. WPA-PSK provides a basic level of security by encrypting communication between devices and accessing the network with a password. While it's not the strongest form of security, it's still an important step in ensuring that your wireless network is protected from unauthorized access.

WPA2-PSK is a modern and strong way to secure a wireless network using a pre-shared password. This password is used for authentication and data encryption between devices connected to the network. WPA2-PSK offers a higher level of security compared to the previous WPA-PSK standard, which means it is much more difficult for unauthorized people to gain access to your wireless network. This type of security is suitable for home and small business networks, ensuring that your data and connections remain safe from potential threats.

A higher level of WiFi security suitable for enterprise networks. Instead of a single shared password, it requires an individual username and password for each user, often in combination with a certificate or other form of authentication.

WPA2-Enterprise is a highly secure protocol for securing wireless networks that is widely used, especially in corporate environments. This standard provides a significantly higher level of security compared to WPA2-PSK, thanks to complex authentication methods that require individual credentials for each user. Each user must have their own certificate, token or other form of authentication factor, ensuring that only authorized individuals can access the network.

A VPN, or virtual private network, is a technology that allows secure connections between remote computers or networks over the public internet. VPN functionality on network devices allows encrypted and secure data transmission, protects users from eavesdropping and ensures privacy. VPN is key for remote working, secure access to corporate networks and protection when using public Wi-Fi networks.

Parental controls on network devices allow parents to monitor and restrict their children's access to the Internet. Features include the ability to set time limits, block inappropriate websites and apps, and create a safer online environment. This feature is essential for keeping children safe online and gives parents more control over their children's online behaviour and access.

QoS, or quality of service, is a feature of network devices that allows network traffic to be prioritized according to the type of service, application, or device. This ensures that important applications such as VoIP (a technology that allows you to make voice calls using a broadband Internet connection instead of traditional or analog phone lines) or online gaming have enough bandwidth and low latency to run smoothly. QoS is key to optimizing network performance, especially in high network load environments.

UPnP (Universal Plug and Play) is a set of network protocols that allows devices on a local network to automatically discover and communicate with each other without the need for manual setup by the user. This technology is designed to simplify connectivity and communication between different devices in a home or small office network.

A DHCP server is a device or software that manages and distributes IP addresses on a local network. When a new device connects to the network, the DHCP server automatically assigns it an available IP address from a defined range.

A list of all devices on the network that have been assigned IP addresses by the DHCP server. Allows the network administrator to see what devices are currently connected to the network and what IP addresses have been assigned to them.

DynDNS (Dynamic Domain Name System) is a service that automatically updates DNS records when the IP address of a device (such as a home router) changes. This is useful for remote access to devices that have dynamically changing IP addresses.