Router – Networking Device – Specialized Hardware

Router, a networking device is a commonly specialized hardware which forwards data packets between networks of computers creating an overlay internet work in the form of a router. This is connected to several data lines from various networks and is commonly connected to two LANs or WANs or a LAN together with its ISPs’ network which are located at gateways, places where two or more networks are connected.

Routers tend to use headers and forwarding tables to identify the best path in forwarding the packets using protocols like ICMP in communicating with each other as well as configure the route between two hosts, keeping in touch through network advances.

When a data packet comes across one of the lines, the router has the capabilities of reading the address information in the packet and determines its ultimate destination and on using informing in its routing table or routing policy, it navigates the packet to the next network journey. Routers perform the task of directing the traffic function through the internet. The data packet is forwarded from one router to another through network which constitutes internet work till it arrives at the destination junction.

Connectivity Within/Between Enterprises and Internet

Small office and home routers are some of the familiar forms of routers which pass data like email, IM, web pages and videos between the internet and in home computers for instance, a router would be the owner’s cable or a DSL router that is connected to the internet through an ISP. Routers provide connectivity within enterprises, between enterprises and the internet or even between internet service providers – ISP networks.

Enterprise routers, which are rather sophisticated routers, are connected to large business or ISP networks up to powerful core routers which can forward data at high speed along the optical fibre lines of the internet backbone. High performance access points providing wireless connectivity are provided in resorts, churches, restaurants, universities, offices and schools.

Software based routers are getting more popular though routers are typically dedicated hardware. Some offer dual band wireless products, with companies providing their employees, staff or students with more options in transferring huge files within their network or while using other bandwidth intensive application. Multiple routers when used in interconnecting networks, exchange information regarding destination addresses with the use of dynamic routing protocol.

Interface for Different Physical Forms of Network Connections

Individual router tends to build up a table listing the desired routes on the interconnected networks between any two systems and the router has interfaces for various physical forms of network connections like the fibre optic, copper cables or wireless transmission.

It contains firmware for a various network communicating protocol standards where each network interface utilises this specialised computer software for data packets which is forwarded from one protocol transmission system to another system. Routers could also be used to connect to two and more logical groups of devices known as subnets with each having a different sub network address.

The subnet addresses that are recorded in the router do not directly map to the physical interface connections. Other networking solutions could be provided by Wireless Distributions System – WDS and avoid the cost of introducing networking cables in buildings.