Logging In To Your Buffalo Router

A router's maintenance page is where the network administrator can manage the Wi-Fi network the router provides. Changing the network name and password, performing any necessary updates, set the security settings of the network, as well as any other tasks that might fall to a network administrator. However, you don't need an official title to manage your router. Unfortunately, people can be hesitant to go into the router's settings, because they aren't qualified. You can reset any changes you make with the press of a button, so there is no need to be cautious. Before you can start making any changes, though, you first need to log in.

Who Are Buffalo?

Buffalo is one of the fourteen subsidiaries of Melco Holdings, which was founded as a family business in 1975 by Makato Maki, out of Japan. The company started as an audio equipment manufacturer, before stepping into the field of computing devices in 1981. Buffalo is the North American part of the group, based out of Texas. Buffalo, as a company, has been behind many significant firsts in the networking world. Some of their achievements include:

• Buffalo created the first wireless router, which got released in 1999.
• They created the first USB 3.0 storage device, which saw a release in November of 2009.
• In 2012, Buffalo released the first USB 3.0 and Thunderbolt hybrid device.

The few examples, taken from a list of many firsts in the networking world, make Buffalo a leading manufacturer of networking devices. Buffalo attributes this success to its easy to use technology along with excellent pre and post-sales support. The company has built-up professional relations with some big names, including Microsoft and Intel. Such alliances mean that they can stay ahead when technology advances. Buffalo's products consist of storage devices, networking devices, along with additional technological products that pair well with their primary focus.

As any company leading its market should, Buffalo work to ensure their environmental impact is minimal. They are a global company and work to meet each environmental guideline outlined by the country they occupy. Buffalo claims to do this by taking a proactive approach in dealing with environmental issues.

Comparing Buffalo Routers

Buffalo's current range of routers is the Airstation range. Like many companies, Buffalo's routers get classified by their speed type. Their range of routers offered by their official store lacks variety, though it is still suitable for finding a router for domestic use. The Airstation range can get further broken down with a HighPower model or a standard model, both of which get explored in detail below. Buffalo also has a Wi-Fi mini adaptor for those who need a network while on the go.

HighPower Routers

What Should You Look For In A Buffalo Router?

With so many routers on the market, which are all named with a sequence of numbers that can be difficult to decipher, it can be difficult picking a router that works for you. The first point of interest should be the router's speed, which is outlined by its possible Mbps. However, your ISP or internet service provider may only be able to provide up to specific internet speeds, so compare what speed your ISP offers, and base your router network speed requirement on that.

On the subject of speed, sometimes a wired connection is necessary. Gigabit ports are much faster than the older Ethernet ports. Gigabit ports mean you will be getting the maximum possible speed on your wired connections.

The next consideration should be the compatibility of the router, with your selection of computer devices. The current standard for Wi-Fi is 802.11ac on a 5Ghz Wi-Fi network though older devices, and some game consoles may not work with 802.11ac. For that reason, a dual-band router is always better than a single-band router. The dual-band option will provide you with one network running 5Ghz 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and a less powerful network that uses 2.4Ghz with 802.11n Wi-Fi. Two networks ensure that you have maximum compatibility across all your Wi-Fi devices.

Finally, additional features can factor into your router choice. Some routers come with advanced firmware, with some of the routers above, being an example.

Your Network's Security

Once you have selected a router that is fast enough for what you need, and have ensured it will work with your devices, you need to consider your network security. There is a selection of security schemes used to secure a routers Wi-Fi network. The current standard comes in the form of WPA2. WPA2 is the upgraded version of the still robust WPA security scheme. WPA2 provides maximum protection for a router, though it can be taxing on the system. If you find that is the case, WPA will still prove suitable, though the level of security gets reduced.

Not all devices will connect to a network that uses WPA or WPA2, and if that happens, you will have to revert to the older WEP security scheme, which was the standard security scheme in 1997, to give an insight to its age. Dual-band routers will allow you to set a different security scheme for each network, which can help to ensure compatibility.