A router is in charge of organising computer network communication. A router receives data packets from devices and routes them to their destination. Routers typically utilise IP addresses to determine where to seek for information. Routers allow your computers to connect to the internet or download information from a server.

What exactly is a router?

A router connects two or more packet-switched networks or subnetworks. It performs two basic functions: it handles traffic across different networks by forwarding data packets to their respective IP addresses, and it allows several devices to share the same Internet connection.

A network switch is a device that moves data packets between groups of devices on the same network, whereas a router is a device that passes data between networks.

What are the many router types?

Routers that are hardwired

Wired routers often connect to modems or wide-area networks (WANs) directly via network cables. They frequently have a connector for connecting to modems in order to communicate with the Internet.

Wireless routers

Routers can connect wirelessly to devices that support the same wireless standards. Wireless routers may both receive and send data to and from the Internet.

How does a router work?

Consider a router to be an air traffic controller, and data packets to be planes travelling to various airports (or networks). Each packet, like each jet, must be sent to its target as efficiently as possible. A router, like an air traffic controller, ensures that planes arrive at their destinations without getting lost or encountering substantial delays.

To properly direct packets, a router uses an internal routing table, which is a collection of pathways to numerous network destinations.

What's the difference between a modem and a router?

Although some Internet service providers (ISPs) combine a router and a modem into a single device, they are not interchangeable. Each performs a separate but vital role in connecting networks and the Internet.

Consider the following: If Bob only has a router and no modem, he can set up a LAN and transfer data between the gadgets on that network. He will, however, be unable to connect that network to the Internet. Alice, on the other hand, has a modem but no router.

What are the many kinds of routers?

A router must first communicate with a modem before connecting a LAN to the Internet. There are two methods:

A wireless router connects to a modem through an Ethernet connection. 

An Ethernet connection connects a wireless router to a modem.

Wireless routers do not build LANs; instead, they generate WLANs (wireless local area networks), which use wireless communication to connect various devices.

A wired router, like a wireless router, uses an Ethernet connection to connect to a modem. It then uses separate connections to connect to one or more network devices, creating a LAN and linking the network devices to the network.

Aside from wireless and wired routers for small LANs, there are a variety of specialised routers that serve specific functions:

A core router is used by major corporations and businesses that send a large volume of data packets within their network, as opposed to a router used in a home or small business LAN.

Edge router: An edge router connects to both core routers and external networks, whereas a core router primarily manages data flow within a large-scale network.

What are some of the security issues that routers present?

Vulnerability exploits: All hardware-based routers come with pre-installed software known as firmware that helps the router perform its functions. Router firmware, like any other piece of software, frequently contains defects that cyber attackers can exploit (one example), and router manufacturers provide updates on a regular basis to remedy these vulnerabilities.

DDoS assaults: DDoS assaults on network infrastructure are typical targets for both small and large businesses. At the network layer, DDoS assaults can overwhelm routers or compel them to crash, resulting in a network outage.

Administrative credentials: Every router comes with a set of administrative credentials for performing administrative tasks. These credentials are pre-configured with default values such as "admin" as the username and "admin" as the password.

Conclusion

A router is a hardware network device that is used to move, analyze, and receive internet data packets inside a network or networks. It performs more network functions than a hub or switch. We can protect the PC from an attacker by using the firewall, which is enabled by the router. It has firmware software that the manufacturer should update.