Virtual routers are becoming a popular topic in networking these days. It’s important to understand what they are and how they work so you can determine if it is something that your business needs. In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about virtual routers. We’ll discuss their origins, the benefits of using them, as well as any drawbacks or limitations that might come up when implementing them within your network.
What is a Virtual Router?
Virtual routers are software-based routing solutions that help organizations with their networking needs. Unlike hardware-based network devices, virtual routers can be implemented much more quickly and easily which is why they have become a popular alternative to traditional networking equipment for many businesses.
A virtual router works more or less like a mobile hotspot. When enabled, it will provide network access to the computers that are hooked up to your router just like our smartphones and tablets offer WiFi for other devices in range of their signal (like laptops).
The biggest benefit of having a virtual router is that by setting up your PC as a virtual router, you can easily share a VPN software among other devices. All you need to do is turn the VPN “ON” in your laptop or desktop which is acting as the server for virtual router. And then all of the devices on the network, be it smartphones and tablets, or laptops and desktop computers will share one software package.
By using a VPN on your PC, you can then connect devices like phones to the network that is being broadcasted from your computer. This makes it so these other devices are also protected by VPNs in order for them to be more secure and private when accessing things online.
What are the Benefits of Using Virtual Routers?
There are many benefits to using a virtual router.
Virtual Router Goes Into Sleep Mode When Not in Use: The first major benefit is that they consume less power than traditional hardware-based routers because the software goes into sleep mode whenever it isn’t in use; this means you can have more devices on your network without having to worry about memory overloads and other technical issues with networking equipment.
Virtual Routers Are Easy to Setup & Configure: Virtual routers also allow for easy setup and configuration as there’s no hardware required for setting the system up. This makes virtual routers an ideal option for small businesses or organizations who need something done quickly but don’t want to spend much money on laying down complex routing systems within the office at the moment.
Virtual Routers Are Inexpensive & Saves Up Cost: One great benefit of setting up a virtual router system at your organization is how inexpensive these networks are when compared with buying an entirely new set of physical gear – so if you’re looking for ways to save costs and your precious time while maintaining your security, setting up a virtual router is the best option.
What are the Drawbacks or Limitations of Using Virtual Routers?
There are a few drawbacks or limitations that come with virtual routers.
Limited Bandwidth: Virtual routers do not offer unlimited bandwidth which means they can only support up to so many devices on the network at one time; organizations who want more than just a couple dozen computers hooked into their system will need to consider installing physical, hardware-based routing equipment instead of relying solely on software solutions like these.
Virtual Routers May Have Limited Routing Options: One other downside is that while some virtual router packages may be able to provide for easy setup and configuration, others might have limited routing options – this means you won’t be able to use them in environments where complex networking needs exist such as those found within hospitals or universities. These types of organizations should use hardware-based routing equipment instead.
Virtual Routers Can’t Be Used for Wireless Access Points: One major drawback is that virtual routers can not be used as wireless access points which means you’ll need to purchase a separate device if you want the ability to send out WiFi signals from your network; this will also make it so all of your devices are connected together with one another in order to maintain security and privacy online.
How Do I Know Which Virtual Router Is Right For Me?
The first thing you need to do is to be deciding what networking needs or requirements must be met by the virtual router software – do they require an easy setup solution, unlimited bandwidth, or more advanced features like VPN capabilities? Once these factors have been determined, you can then evaluate your options to see which virtual router package is the best for you.
Now here’s a list of the top virtual routers to consider purchasing in 2021 and 2022:
- – Netgear Nighthawk XR700 Pro Gaming Edition WiFi Router (starting at $349.99)
- – Linksys WRT32XB Tri-Band Gigabit Wireless AC1200 Dual Band Router with MU-MIMO for Smartphones/Tablets & Network Storage Support – Black, Retail Packaging (Starting At $179.00)
- – SMC Networks EZ WifiNANO+Ethernet Access Point System With External Antenna (Starting at $25.49) *etc.
Before coming to a conclusion on what you should purchase, you’ll need to do some research on your own before you decide to buy a virtual router package. You can check out their complete details from the official website or other relevant places and decide what you need which falls into your budget & requirements.
Concluding Thoughts
Virtual routers are a great option for small businesses or organizations who need something done quickly but don’t want to spend much money on laying down complex routing systems within the office at the moment. While there are plenty of great advantages, there are certain drawbacks which are discussed above.
Did you find this article helpful? Want to learn more about virtual routers? Stay tuned as we will be educating our viewers on how to set up a virtual router and more.
