Router is

You're undoubtedly already familiar with words like network routers since the internet permeates our daily lives. However, you might still be unclear about the function of routers in modern networks. In fact, routers connect all networking devices as the network's central hub.

What Is a Router and How Does It Work?

Tim Fisher has more than 30 years' of professional technology experience. He's been writing about tech for more than two decades and serves as the SVP and General Manager of Lifewire.

Jerrick Leger is a CompTIA-certified IT Specialist with more than 10 years' experience in technical support and IT fields. He is also a systems administrator for an IT firm in Texas serving small businesses.

In This Article

The router, at least the common home network device that is usually called a router, is the piece of network hardware that allows communication between your local home network—like your personal computers and other connected devices—and the internet.

The router used in home and small networks is more accurately called a residential gateway, but you'll never see these devices called that.

What Is a Router and How Does it Work?

What Is a Router For?

A router is the first line of security from intrusion into a network. Enabling the highest level of security on the router turns on things like the firewall, and is the best way to keep your computer system and information safe from attack.

Routers contain software called firmware that should be updated as released by the router manufacturer.

Most routers connect to other network devices only with network cables and don't require drivers to operate in Windows or other operating systems. However, routers that connect to a computer with a USB or FireWire typically require drivers to operate correctly.

Routers often act as the DHCP servers in small networks, issuing unique IP addresses.

Most routers are manufactured by companies like Linksys, 3Com, Belkin, D-Link, Motorola, TRENDnet, and Cisco, but there are many others.

Routers come in many shapes and sizes, as you can see below:

Overall Findings

• Used to connect a local network to the internet.
• A network usually only has one router.
• Connects to a modem through a WAN port.
• Can have both wired and wireless connectivity.

Routers connect local devices to each other and the internet, while switches only connect devices locally. Switches can also be connected to routers, allowing many devices to connect to a router through a wired connection even if a router only has a single Ethernet LAN port.

While a network usually only has one router, you can connect a secondary router to your primary router, in which case it will function as a switch. However, you may need to change some configurations on the secondary router and disable its Wi-Fi network if it has one.

How Are Routers and Switches Used?

• Connects to a modem via a WAN port.
• Also creates a local network between connected devices.
• Connects to the internet.
• Splits one internet connection to many devices.
• Connects local devices to each other and the internet.

• Connects to a router.
• Used within a LAN to connect devices to each other and to the router.
• Unsafe to connect directly to the internet.
• Several switches can be connected to one router.
• Only connects local devices to each other.

In a typical network, a router connects to a modem via its WAN port, and then local devices are connected to the router via Ethernet LAN ports or Wi-Fi. The router's primary function is to connect all of the local devices to the internet, but it's also able to connect local devices as well. For example, if you connect a router to a modem and two computers, the computers can access the internet and connect to exchange data locally.

Switches expand and optimize a wired LAN by allowing more devices to connect to a local network and optimizing data transmission between devices. When a network includes a switch, the switch is connected to the router via an Ethernet LAN port, and then local devices are connected to the switch. Large networks like those in businesses and schools often have many switches that connect smaller groups of computers and other devices to each other and other switches and the devices connected to those switches.

Router Pros and Cons

A router connects to a modem and creates a private network in a home, office, or business such as a coffee shop. When you connect a device to Wi-Fi, it connects to a local router.

Routers connect smart devices, including smartphones, smart speakers such as Amazon Echo, and smart home products such as light bulbs and security systems. Wireless routers also stream content to laptops and mobile devices through Netflix, Hulu, and similar services, without using cables.

Some ISPs offer routers for rental. To get the latest technology, it's worth buying one. Buying a wireless router means you can choose the model that's best suited for your home or office or has advanced features for gaming and other activities if you need them.

In some scenarios, one wireless router isn't sufficient to cover an entire home or office due to a vast space or one with a complicated layout, multiple floors, or impenetrable walls. To avoid dead zones, purchase range extenders that connect to the router and expand its reach. However, that usually means less bandwidth in areas near the extender, which translates into slower browsing and download speeds. That's when investing in a mesh network might make sense.

A Wi-Fi mesh network consists of one primary router and several satellites, or nodes, that relay the wireless signal from one to the next, like a chain. Rather than extenders that communicate only with the router, mesh network nodes communicate with each other, and there's no loss of bandwidth. The signal is as powerful as if you were next to the primary router. There's no limit to how many nodes you can set up, and you can manage it using a smartphone.

Whether you need a range extender or a mesh network depends on the size of the space and how much bandwidth is required.

Do You Need a Modem and a Router?

You need a modem and a router to set up a home network. If you're connecting a single computer to the internet with a wire, you can use only a modem. There's no case where you can use just a router. You'll always need a modem to decode the signal from your ISP.

When you want to speed up your network, the router is usually what you want to focus on. It has bandwidth limits, and it distributes the signal to all your devices. Your router creates and manages your Wi-Fi.

The modem usually doesn't cause a slow connection. Generally, you'll get one from your ISP, and they'll give you one suitable for your subscription. If you plug in your computer directly to your modem and run a speed test, you can tell whether you're getting your advertised internet speed. If not, contact your ISP. There may be a connection issue, or your modem may be outdated. In this case, they may swap it out for a newer model.

What Does a Modem Look Like?

Modems typically look like small black, skinny, square boxes. Frequently, they have between two and four antennae but not every modem includes an external antenna. The images at the top of this article give you a good idea of what a modem looks like but every manufacturer uses a different style and shape.

Modems will also include between two and four ethernet ports, one or two USB ports, and range between six and nine inches wide to six to eleven inches long and about two to three inches high.

Types of Routers

All routers have the same primary function, but there are different types of routers that you can use depending on your needs. Here are some of the most common ones [2]:

Wireless Routers

You probably don’t only know what a wireless router is, but own one.

These are the most common type of routers by far and are used in home and office networks worldwide.

Wireless routers generate Wi-Fi, which allows our devices to connect to local networks and the Internet without physical cables.

But even though they are called “wireless” routers, they also provide regular ethernet ports to connect up to 5 devices (depending on the model).

Core Routers

Core routers are used by ISPs (Internet Service Providers) and can only route data in local networks. Meaning they don’t go out into the Internet.

By focusing only on local networks, core routers offer a level of performance above other types of routers. Because of this, they are most common in major or large-scale local networks.

Edge Routers

An edge router, sometimes referred to as an access router, is placed just where the name implies. It operates on the “edge” of the network and facilitates communication between internal and external networks.

In short, its job is to connect you to remote networks using the internet.

Distribution Routers

Distribution routers receive data from edge routers through wired connections. Then, it distributes data packets to their specific destinations.

They can do this both through Wi-Fi. Or, less frequently, through ethernet cables.

Virtual Routers

Virtual routers are software programs that function as a router. They live and work in the cloud, so the entry cost is lower than buying a physical device. Plus, it offers much more flexibility and easier scaling.

Virtual routers are mainly used by big businesses with complex networks as they are easier to maintain and upgrade.

FAQ

As a network engineer, I get all sorts of questions regarding routers. Here are the most common ones I encounter regarding home networks specifically:

How far can wireless routers reach?

In general, wireless routers can reach about 300 feet (100 meters) outdoors and 150 feet (50 meters) indoors. [5]

But this will depend on the router model. Budget routers typically have less range than premium ones.

Not only that, but other factors such as walls, stairs, roofs, and furniture can degrade a router’s signal. Depending on their thickness, some walls can even reduce indoor range by up to 80%.

How many devices can connect to a router simultaneously?

Regular consumer-grade wireless routers can support up to 250 devices, including computers, phones, tablets, and more.

That is impressive. But you probably shouldn’t connect 250 devices to your home network unless you have a super-fast connection.

How much should I spend on a router?

Home routers can go anywhere from $10 to $500, but how much you should spend mostly depends on your Internet connection and amount of devices.

If you have high-speed Internet and a lot of devices, spending $250 on a router might make a lot of sense.

On the other hand, if you have just a regular Internet connection, you could achieve excellent performance for as little as $100.

In general and for most people, there is no need to go beyond the $200 mark.

If you happen to be in the market for a new router, check out our best router for your ISP guides. They cover all major ISP’s and what routers work best with each one.

Architecture of Router

Given below is a diagram which explains the architecture of router:

The different factors which help in successful functioning of router are explained below:

Input Port

The input port performs many functions. The physical layer functionality of terminating an incoming physical link to a router it can perform.

It performs the data link layer functionality needed to interoperate with the data link layer functionality on the other side of the incoming link.

It also performs a lookup and forwarding function so that a datagram forwarded into the switching fabric of the router emerges at the appropriate output port.

The diagram given below depicts the functioning of an input port in a router:

Output Port

It stores packets received from the switching fabric and transmits those packets on the outgoing link by performing the link-layer and physical-layer functions. Therefore, the output port performs the reverse data link and physical layer functionality as the input port.

The diagram given below depicts the functioning of an output port in a router:

Switching Fabric

It is the combination of hardware and software which moves data coming in to a network node out by the correct port to the next node in the network.

Routing Processor

Routing processor executes routing protocols. It maintains routing information and forwarding tables. It also performs network management functions within the router.

Components of Router

Let us see the internal and external components of routers.

Internal components

The internal components in a router are as follows:

• Read-only memory (ROM) − It is used to store the routers bootstrap details,
• Flash memory − It holds the operating systems pictures.
• Random-access memory (RAM) − It is used to store the Routing table and buffered data.
• Nonvolatile random-access memory (NVRAM) − It stores the router’s start-up configuration files. Here the stored data is non-volatile.
• Network interfaces − It is used to connect routers to networks.

External components

The external components in a router are as follows:

The Router’s input ports, output ports, and switching fabric all together implement hardware and the forwarding functions.

The Router's control functions operate at the millisecond or second timescale. These control plane functions are implemented in software and execute on the routing processor.

What to Look for In a Router?

Connectivity

Most routers look similar on the outside, but they offer significantly different capabilities. One of the most important ones to look for in a router is connectivity. Be aware of the number and specifications of the Ethernet ports on the router, and are there any other ports like fiber optic, USB, etc. Try getting as many different physical connections for future-proofing and potential network upgrades.

Speed

Also known as bandwidth is another important feature. More bandwidth means a better user experience for more users since they all have to share. If you don’t pay enough attention to this feature, you may create a bottleneck at the router and ruin the user experience due to frequent buffering, random dropouts, and long loading times.

Wi-Fi Capabilities

Unless you have a very specific application and insist on the router without Wi-Fi capabilities or want to handle Wi-Fi access using a separate AP device , you should take a close look at the following Wi-Fi capabilities.

Wi-Fi standard that the router support is very important. Since Wi-Fi standards are backward compatible, you should get the latest you can afford. Wi-Fi 6e is the most recent iteration and offers the highest speeds, an additional 6 GHz frequency band, and can handle many users better than before. However, routers compatible with Wi-Fi 6e are still fairly expensive, so look for the standard that best suits your specific needs and budget. Wi-Fi 6 is also a great choice.

Mesh compatibility is another important feature. It will allow you to add more satellite APs to your router and create a mesh network. Mesh networks are a more elegant and practical solution to the problem of bad Wi-Fi signals in some areas of your home or office. Since the router and the satellites all communicate with each other, a mesh network creates one seamless network throughout the whole space, unlike Wi-Fi extenders, which create a separate network for each device.

Summary

Routers are used to manage and direct data packages from different devices in the network. They also allow communication between the networks by choosing the optimal and most efficient path for your data. On top of their main duty, they also provide security for your network by filtering out unwanted traffic and potential threats using built-in firewall software. Lastly, many routers also serve as a hub for shared network resources by having ports for thumb drives, HDDs, or printers.

Two main types are wired and wireless routers, but you can also use software to turn your PC into a virtual router.

Wired routers use only Ethernet ports to connect to other devices and have no Wi-Fi capabilities. They are used to create local area networks or LANs. Wireless routers use radio waves and Wi-Fi protocols to connect to other devices and create wireless local area networks or WLANs.

Routers types are also defined by their specific function. The main types are core, edge, and distribution routers.

Core routers are not something most of us will see on daily bases. Internet service providers and big companies use them to manage traffic between large networks and are designed to move huge amounts of data at once.

Edge routers are common in most companies but not in homes. They usually have no wireless capabilities and are designed to communicate with other routers and end-users through Ethernet cables .

Distribution routers are what we usually have within our homes. They receive the data from edge routers and distribute it to the end-user devices, and vice versa. They include Wi-Fi capabilities and usually 1-4 Ethernet ports.

It is also worth mentioning that Wi-Fi routers we often get from our internet service providers present a combo unit comprised of an edge router, distribution router, Ethernet switch , DHCP server , and wireless access point.

When choosing a router for your home or small office, you should pay close attention to how many Ethernet and other ports the router has and how fast it is . Also, make sure to get a model that supports the highest possible Wi-Fi standard you can afford. The latest and most expensive is Wi-Fi 6e, with an additional 6 GHz frequency band and many additional jaw-dropping features.

Edge Router VS Core Router

Edge routers are located at the boundaries of a network and distribute packets across multiple networks, keeping communication flowing between several networks. Whereas, the core router operates on the same network and transfers large amounts of data at top speed.

As the name suggests, an edge router is located at the edge or boundary of a network, usually connected to the network of an Internet service provider (ISP) or other organization, and it distributes packets across multiple networks, but not within the same network. They can be wired or wireless routers, and their job is to keep your network in smooth communication with other networks. Besides, the edge router can connect to the core router.

In contrast to edge routers, core routers distribute packets within the same network rather than across multiple networks. It runs on the backbone of the Internet and its job is to carry out heavy data transfers. The core router supports the routing protocols used in the kernel. It is able to reach a variety of communication interface transmission of the highest speed, allowing all IP packets to move at full speed. In some cases, core routers can also connect distributed routers from multiple large enterprises or community locations, thus high- performance is a basic requirement for core routers.

VPN Router

Generally speaking, a VPN router can be seen as a normal Gigabit router that has VPN client software installed on it. Every device that connects to the VPN router is protected by VPN at any time. Whether it is your home, office or company, VPN routers can bring numerous benefits of VPN connections to all devices. We have listed the functions of VPN router as follows:

Providing unlimited connectivity.

When connecting to a VPN server via a router, you can use any number of devices. In addition, you can share encrypted connections with friends and visitors without worrying about sharing accounts (which is generally prohibited under the terms of service of VPN services).

Providing better platform adaptability.

Popular online media like Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV or Chromecast currently don't support VPN protection. However, you can still add them to the list of protected devices by connecting them to your VPN router.

Unblocking application and content.

Are you currently in a country that blocks certain applications or contents? A VPN router enables you to bypass the restrictions and connect to the Internet via an encrypted VPN tunnel through another country entirely.

Logging in once.

Many people often forget to log in to their VPN or set up their clients to run automatically at startup. Once you set up your VPN router, you don't have to worry about this – you just log in once, and that's it for good! If you use a VPN frequently on multiple devices, this is a practical and effective solution.

Today, with the rapid development of the Internet, various network accidents appear frequently. Network security has also become the primary concern of individuals, families and enterprises. And the emergence of VPN routers has brought good news to them. Its powerful network protection channel has stopped numerous information leakage incidents. In the future, VPN router will be the darling of the market, it will become the first choice for users to buy a router.

What Is a Router in Networking?

A router connects all the devices in a network so they can share a single Internet connection. It connects computers, printers, and other end devices to one another through Ethernet cables or a wireless connection.

You may then share that Internet connection among all of the devices in your network after connecting a router to the modem. Additionally, a router acts as the first line of defense in your security, protecting your computer system and data from any intrusion and attack.

The majority of routers offer four Ethernet ports, allowing you to connect four devices and use the switching feature to connect them. Users who require more connections than four can deploy a separate switch or upgrade to a router with more ports (up to 8 ports). Be aware that routers often contain firmware that should be updated as released by the router manufacturer.

How Does a Router Work?

At the most basic level, a router deals with network traffic. It connects a modem to other network devices to enable communication between them and the Internet. In this way, the router directs incoming and outgoing internet traffic on that network in the fastest and most efficient way.

Typically, a router connects to the modem's "Internet" or "WAN" port over a network connection, then connects to other network devices over another network cable.

To receive data packages from servers around the world, each router has a distinct (external) IP address, and every device on your network also receives a distinct (MAC) address. Your router keeps a database to record which device requested information from where whenever you attempt to access information online.

What is a router

A router is a switching device that is responsible for receiving, analyzing and forwarding the data packets from the network to connected computers. A home router connects to the modem and acts like a traffic director on your local network, which connects your devices via WiFi signal or Ethernet, tunneling information between them and out to the modem. And the enterprise router has more powerful functions than a home router such as VPN service and flash memory, etc. Besides, there are wireless and wired routers options available. If you'd like to gain much knowledge about routers, two helpful articles are provided for you here: Enterprise Router VS Home Router & Router Types.

Both routers and gateways are hardware components in a network that regulate traffic and determine its flow between two or more networks. Sometimes, a network may use routers both as end-point and access-point, in this case, the router becomes a gateway.

A gateway often works with a router and a switch to complete the routing process. When a gateway receives a packet, it translates the protocol, and the router directs it to the next router.

It must be pointed out that network cards have to be inserted into both gateways and routers to facilitate this communication and virtually all routers and gateways have this setup shipped out of the factory without requiring the user to buy a separate network card.

Gateway vs router: what is the difference

A router is a networking layer system used to manage and forward data packets to devices network while a gateway is simply a hardware that acts as a gate between the networks. Besides, routers and gateways are very different in their working principle .

Before arriving at the router, packets go to the gateway channel first, and the gateway checks the header information at once. After checking for any kind of error in the destination IP address and packet. According to the needs of the destination network, it carries out data conversion and protocol conversion on the packet, which is also the most critical step. Finally, the processed packet is forwarded to the router to establish intelligent communication between the two different networks.

The router extracts the destination address from the received packet, determines the network number in the address, and then looks up the routing table to find the entry matching the destination network. The routing table determines the next stop, destination, output interface, and other routing-related parameters that match the current packet. Finally, the packet is sent to the computer with the best route.

In layman's terms, gateways and routers are like the gates and elevators of a castle. When outsiders want to enter the castle, they must first pass the inspection and arrangement through the gate, so that they have the same characteristics as other people in the castle, and then they can be sent to the elevator. Then the elevator headquarters will choose the fastest elevator for them according to the characteristics and purpose of these strangers and finally, arrive at the destination.

Router and gateway differ in other ways besides their definitions and working principles:

Differences	Router	Gateway
Function	To ensure that data packets are switched to the right address with the best route	To connect two networks of different protocols as a translator
Networks	It routes the data packets via similar networks	It connects two dissimilar networks
Support Dynamic Routing	Yes	No
OSI Layer	Work on layer 3 and layer 4	Work on layer 5
Additional Features	wireless networking, static routing, NAT, DHCP server, etc	network access control, protocol conversion, etc
Hosted On	dedicated appliance (router hardware)	dedicated/virtual appliance or physical server

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