A wireless router is a device that performs the functions of a router and also includes the functions of a wireless access point. It is used to provide access to the Internet or a private computer network. It can function in a wired LAN (local area network), in a wireless-only LAN (WLAN), or in a mixed wired/wireless network, depending on the manufacturer and model.

====Features====
Most current wireless routers have the following characteristics:
  * One or multiple NICs supporting Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet integrated into the main SoC
  * One or multiple WNICs supporting a part of the IEEE 802.11-standard family also integrated into the main SoC or as separate chips on the printed circuit board. It also can be a distinct card connected over a MiniPCI or MiniPCIe interface.
    * So far the PHY-Chips for the WNICs are generally distinct chips on the PCB. Dependent on the mode the WNIC supports, i.e. 1T1R, 2T2R or 3T3R, one WNIC have up to 3 PHY-Chips connected to it. Each PHY-Chip is connected to a Hirose U.FL-connector on the PCB. A so-called pigtail cable connects the Hirose U.FL either to a RF connector, in which case the antenna can be changed or directly to the antenna, in which case it is integrated into the casing. Common are single-band (i.e. only for 2.4 GHz or only for 5 GHz) and dual-band (i.e. for 2.4 and 5 GHz) antennas.
  * Often an Ethernet switch supporting Gigabit Ethernet or Fast Ethernet, with support for IEEE 802.1Q, integrated into the main SoC (MediaTek SoCs) or as separate Chip on the PCB.
  * Some wireless routers come with either xDSL modem, DOCSIS modem, LTE modem, or fiber optic modem integrated.
  * IEEE 802.11n compliant or ready.
  * Some dual-band wireless routers operate the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands simultaneously.
  * Some high end dual-band wireless routers have data transfer rates of at most 300 Mbit/s (For 2.4 GHz band) and 450 Mbit/s (For 5 GHz band).[1]
  * The Wi-Fi clone button simplifies Wi-Fi configuration and builds a seamless unified home network, enabling Super Range Extension, which means it can automatically copy the SSID and Password of your router.
  * Some wireless routers have 1 or 2 USB port(s). For wireless routers having 1 USB port, it is designated for either printer or desktop/mobile external hard disk drive. For wireless routers having 2 USB ports, one is designated for the printer and the other one is designated for either desktop or mobile external hard disk drive.[3]
  * Some wireless routers have a USB port specifically designed for connecting mobile broadband modem,[4] aside from connecting the wireless router to an Ethernet with xDSL or cable modem. So, can be inserted a mobile broadband USB adapter into the router to share the mobile broadband Internet connection through the wireless network.

====Notable manufacturers====
  * 3Com
  * Apple Inc.
  * Belkin
  * Buffalo Technology
  * D-Link
  * Linksys
  * Motorola
  * Netgear
  * TP-Link

====Operating system====
The most common operating system on such embedded devices is Linux. More seldomly, VxWorks is being used. The devices are configured over a web user interface served by a light web server software running on the device.

It is possible for a computer running a desktop operating system such as Windows to, with appropriate software, act as a wireless router. This is commonly referred to as a SoftAP, or "Software Access Point".

Aside from the OEM firmware, for a couple of wireless routers a third party firmware called OpenWrt is available. It is described as a Linux distribution for embedded devices.

====See also====
  * Comparison of wireless data standards
  * HomePlug AV
  * Wi-Fi Protected Setup

====References====
  * [[http://www.gadgetreview.com/what-is-wifi-what-does-wifi-stand-for-how-does-it-work|What Is WiFi?]]
  * [[http://www.tp-link.com/en/products/details/?model=TL-WPA4220KIT|300Mbps AV500 WiFi Powerline Extender Starter Kit]]
  * [[https://www.worldsim.com/blog/what-is-portable-wifi-router|"What is portable WiFi router and how to use one".]] www.worldsim.com. WorldSIM. Retrieved 9 May 2016.
  * [[http://www.dlink.com/us/en/home-solutions/work/wireless-mobile-broadband/dir-412-mobile-broadband-wireless-router|D-Link® Mobile Broadband Wireless Router (DIR-412)]]
  * [[http://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/start|OpenWrt Table of Hardware]]
  * [[http://wikidevi.com/wiki/Main_Page|Wikidevi]]