What is Router?


What is Router?

A router is a device, designed to take incoming packets, analyze them for threats and viruses, and then send them along a network.

Why is Router used?

Today, we use Routers in our home to share one Internet Connections with several devices, like Laptops, Desktops, Mobiles, Tablet phones, etc.
The router is connected to two or more devices and serves as a bridge between your home network and ISP’s network (LAN TO WAN).
Routers assign local IP addresses to the connected devices so that two or more devices can use the internet at the same time.
Routers are located at gateways router because one of their functions is to join two or more networks.

Wireless router.

Wireless router.

 

How Routers work?

A router uses ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) packets to communicate within or outside the networks.
Router is known as an intelligent device because they have the ability to analyze the data packets being sent and received, and send a packet from one network to the other.
A wireless router maintains the connection between all these devices and forwards packets to them by using the best route possible.

  • Routers keep up a table, of MAC Address and Local Addresses assigned to the devices connected to it.
  • When a wireless device tries to access any page, it sends a request to Router. 
  • The router then forwards the request to the ISP’s switch, which sends the request to webserver via to the internet.
  • Once a router receives the response, it checks the table to find the which local IP requested that page and then forwards it to it.
  • The router also can find the best route possible for the destination.
Working of router.

Working of a router.

Note: All the incoming and outgoing messages from Router are sent via only 1 IP. All the arrows between Router and ISP’s switch are shown for better understanding.

Types of Routers:

  • Core Router: Communicates only within a network, not between networks.
  • Wireless Router: Helps users with wireless access to connect to a network.
  • Edge Router: Used to route data between various networks.
  • Brouter: Acts as bridge and router

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