Welcome to the First Column IT Tech Blog

HomeBlog
Tip of the Week: Improve Your Network Through Router Placement

Tip of the Week: Improve Your Network Through Router Placement

September 15, 2025

A solid Wi-Fi connection is a necessity, not a luxury. To provide your team with the best possible wireless connection, you need to choose the right router and place it correctly. It's best for a business to buy its own modem and router, rather than renting a combined device from an internet provider. This gives you full control over your network and allows you to select hardware that fits your specific needs.

Choosing the Right Router

When you're shopping for a router, look for key features. Security is important, so make sure it has robust WPA3 encryption and a strong firewall. The router should support multiple bands—dual-band (2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz) at a minimum, and ideally tri-band (with 6.0 GHz) to connect various devices. You'll want at least three LAN ports and one WAN port. 

A built-in VPN option adds an extra layer of protection, and to ensure you get the fastest speeds, choose a router that supports a modern protocol like 802.11ac or newer standards like Wi-Fi 6 or 6E. Finally, make sure it has Gigabit ports for the fastest possible wired connections.

Contact us at (571) 470-5594 if you need any help!

Optimizing Router Placement

Once you have the right router, its placement is crucial for a strong signal. To get the most speed and coverage, install the router in a central location in your office so the signal can reach everyone.

It's also important to keep it raised off the floor to prevent physical obstructions from weakening the signal. Try to keep it away from other electronics that can cause interference. Before you install all your other office technology, map out the signal strength and consider using wireless extenders to cover any dead zones.

If you need help finding the best networking technology, feel free to contact us at (571) 470-5594.

‍

Previous Post
July 23, 2025
Achieve Victory with Comprehensive Security
You've heard the saying, "A man's home is his castle." When it comes to your business, that comparison is even more fitting. Your business is your livelihood, your stronghold, and it deserves the strongest defenses.
July 21, 2025
News Flash: Hope Isn’t a Cybersecurity Strategy
Hope can be enough to keep you moving forward, even when the world feels heavy and dark. While it’s good to keep hope in your heart as a light to help you push onward, it’s not a very good cybersecurity strategy. Hope won’t stop a data breach, a ransomware attack, or a phishing scam, and it certainly won’t keep you safe when cybercriminals only need one slip-up from anyone in your office to ruin your day.
July 18, 2025
What Can We Learn from the Library of Alexandria’s Destruction?
Nowadays, data is one of the most valuable assets we have. However, if we’re being honest, whenever we say “data,” what we’re referring to is knowledge. In this context, data has always been something that society has valued.

Have a project in mind?

Start with our free consultation. We will provide a detailed proposal and firm quote based on your specific IT support needs. All at a predictable monthly cost per seat.
Free Consultation - Sign Up Here