What is a Router?
The router is a physical or virtual internetworking device that is designed to receive,
analyze, and forward data packets between computer networks. A router examines a
destination IP address of a given data packet, and it uses the headers and forwarding
tables to decide the best way to transfer the packets. There are some popular
companies that develop routers; such are Cisco, 3Com, HP, Juniper, D-Link, Nortel,
etc. Some important points of routers are given below:
o A router is used in LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network)
environments. For example, it is used in offices for connectivity, and you can also
establish the connection between distant networks such as from Bhopal to
o It shares information with other routers in networking.
o It uses the routing protocol to transfer the data across a network.
o Furthermore, it is more expensive than other networking devices like switches and
hubs.
A router works on the third layer of the OSI model, and it is based on the IP address
of a computer. It uses protocols such as ICMP to communicate between two or more
networks. It is also known as an intelligent device as it can calculate the best route to
pass the network packets from source to the destination automatically.
A virtual router is a software function or software-based framework that performs the
same functions as a physical router. It may be used to increase the reliability of the
network by virtual router redundancy protocol, which is done by configuring a virtual
router as a default gateway. A virtual router runs on commodity servers, and it is
, packaged with alone or other network functions, like load balancing, firewall packet
filtering, and wide area network optimization capabilities.
Why Routers?
A router is more capable as compared to other network devices, such as a hub,
switch, etc., as these devices are only able to execute the basic functions of the
network. For example, a hub is a basic networking device that is mainly used to
forward the data between connected devices, but it cannot analyze or change
anything with the transferring data. On the other hand, the router has the capability
to analyze and modify the data while transferring it over a network, and it can send it
to another network. For example, generally, routers allow sharing a single network
connection between multiple devices.
00:00/05:19
How does Router work?
A router analyzes a destination IP address of a given packet header and compares it
with the routing table to decide the packet's next path. The list of routing tables
provides directions to transfer the data to a particular network destination. They have
a set of rules that compute the best path to forward the data to the given IP address.
Routers use a modem such as a cable, fiber, or DSL modem to allow communication
between other devices and the internet. Most of the routers have several ports to
The router is a physical or virtual internetworking device that is designed to receive,
analyze, and forward data packets between computer networks. A router examines a
destination IP address of a given data packet, and it uses the headers and forwarding
tables to decide the best way to transfer the packets. There are some popular
companies that develop routers; such are Cisco, 3Com, HP, Juniper, D-Link, Nortel,
etc. Some important points of routers are given below:
o A router is used in LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network)
environments. For example, it is used in offices for connectivity, and you can also
establish the connection between distant networks such as from Bhopal to
o It shares information with other routers in networking.
o It uses the routing protocol to transfer the data across a network.
o Furthermore, it is more expensive than other networking devices like switches and
hubs.
A router works on the third layer of the OSI model, and it is based on the IP address
of a computer. It uses protocols such as ICMP to communicate between two or more
networks. It is also known as an intelligent device as it can calculate the best route to
pass the network packets from source to the destination automatically.
A virtual router is a software function or software-based framework that performs the
same functions as a physical router. It may be used to increase the reliability of the
network by virtual router redundancy protocol, which is done by configuring a virtual
router as a default gateway. A virtual router runs on commodity servers, and it is
, packaged with alone or other network functions, like load balancing, firewall packet
filtering, and wide area network optimization capabilities.
Why Routers?
A router is more capable as compared to other network devices, such as a hub,
switch, etc., as these devices are only able to execute the basic functions of the
network. For example, a hub is a basic networking device that is mainly used to
forward the data between connected devices, but it cannot analyze or change
anything with the transferring data. On the other hand, the router has the capability
to analyze and modify the data while transferring it over a network, and it can send it
to another network. For example, generally, routers allow sharing a single network
connection between multiple devices.
00:00/05:19
How does Router work?
A router analyzes a destination IP address of a given packet header and compares it
with the routing table to decide the packet's next path. The list of routing tables
provides directions to transfer the data to a particular network destination. They have
a set of rules that compute the best path to forward the data to the given IP address.
Routers use a modem such as a cable, fiber, or DSL modem to allow communication
between other devices and the internet. Most of the routers have several ports to
