If you have access to the Internet or to any local network, a router (otherwise a router) can become one of the main components connected to a computer. It is able to quickly connect your home network to an external one. This device allows all information distributed from the provider to be evenly distributed across all computers on the local network. In this case, the router takes on the important task of ensuring the security of this process. So, let's figure out what is a router?
The router is used to communicate with global networks, which allows you to most effectively distribute traffic and use alternative paths between network nodes. Thus, the main purpose of the router is to serve alternative paths, as well as the integration of various networks.
What is a router for?
Where the router will be used depends entirely on how many ports it is equipped with. For example, it can be used locally, which will allow you to effectively manage traffic when it comes to a highly segmented network. With this device, you can connect Ethernet-type networks with other types, and you can also provide a local network with a global network.
But this is not all that concerns the question of what a router is. These devices not only connect networks to the global or to each other. They also manage traffic based on the network layer protocol, that is, at a level that is noticeably higher than the switch. Such router control is necessary when the network topology is complicated, as well as due to an increase in the number of nodes. An excessive number of ways are organized on the network along which the highest quality and fastest delivery of certain information packages should be organized. So, if the question of what a router is, it becomes more or less clear, then it is worth touching on the topic of
“routing protocols”. There are two main ones: OSPF and RIP. When using the first one, not only the number of devices between nodes is taken into account, but also network performance, as well as packet transmission delay and other parameters. This type of protocol is used in large networks where complex routers based on powerful processors are required. When using the second one, the most effective path is selected according to the principle of the minimum number of network devices between nodes. The configuration in this case becomes simple, and the router is very lightly loaded.
So, if with the question of what a router is, it becomes clear to you, then you can consider its use at home. A home network through a router is a combination of computers in a local network, while ensuring their access to the Internet. Typically, such devices are equipped with four ports, which allows you to connect 4 computers to them. And here the question may arise: "WiFi router, what is it?". This type of router, in addition to ports, is also equipped with antennas that allow computers to provide radio access to the network. It turns out that if you have devices with a Wi-Fi module, you do not need to connect them to the router using a traditional network cable, just use the built-in module.
So, now you know what a router is.