What is A Router?
Do you know what is a router? A router is an electronic device that is
utilized for the purpose of forwarding data packets among multiple computer
networks. This forwarding of data packets of course creates an internetwork
overlay. In other words, a router is a device that receives data from the
broadband connection via a modem in order to decipher and transmit it to the
target computer. Mainly, there are two kinds of routers, broadband routers and
wireless routers. The significant difference between the two is the fact that
while the former is utilized to connect multiple computers to the internet via
Ethernet cables and wires, the latter allows wireless internet connection for
multiple computers within its range via Wi-Fi.
How does it Work?
Anyone using a router on a daily basis knows that routers allow two or more computers to connect to the internet at the same time and also enables both the users on those two computers to use the internet connection simultaneously. These computers can be totally different (a Mac and a windows PC) in terms of OS, but it seldom matters when using routers to connect to the internet. A surprising fact is that in spite of all this, a router can only cater to the online needs of one computer at a time. The entire process goes on so fast, that for us, it is almost the same as having the router catering to the needs of all connected computers at once.
The router works by sending a packet of data from the source network to the closest it can, towards the destination network. It also tries to do so in the fastest way that possible; which translates to using the minimum number of 'hops'. The number of 'hops' is equal to the number of times the data packet travels from one router to another. Any packet that hops more than sixteen times is abandoned. Even the simplest of routers are able to decipher the data packets because interpreting them is necessary in order for it to be delivered to the right place.
How Does a Router Do All of This?
A router would not be able to send data over multiple networks in the fastest way possible, had it not been for the data tables included inside every router. These tables include some vital information specific to routing and they are as follows:
How does it Work?
Anyone using a router on a daily basis knows that routers allow two or more computers to connect to the internet at the same time and also enables both the users on those two computers to use the internet connection simultaneously. These computers can be totally different (a Mac and a windows PC) in terms of OS, but it seldom matters when using routers to connect to the internet. A surprising fact is that in spite of all this, a router can only cater to the online needs of one computer at a time. The entire process goes on so fast, that for us, it is almost the same as having the router catering to the needs of all connected computers at once.
The router works by sending a packet of data from the source network to the closest it can, towards the destination network. It also tries to do so in the fastest way that possible; which translates to using the minimum number of 'hops'. The number of 'hops' is equal to the number of times the data packet travels from one router to another. Any packet that hops more than sixteen times is abandoned. Even the simplest of routers are able to decipher the data packets because interpreting them is necessary in order for it to be delivered to the right place.
How Does a Router Do All of This?
A router would not be able to send data over multiple networks in the fastest way possible, had it not been for the data tables included inside every router. These tables include some vital information specific to routing and they are as follows:
- Every route available for the router's utilization while sending data over the internet.
- Exact directions on which connections lead to which definite address groups.
- Certain specific guidelines as to how it should handle data, both regular and irregular.
- A prioritized connection table that is to be followed while functioning.
