What is a router? How many types of routers and what are they?

Router: A router is a computer networking device that determines which way data will go through different networks. It is used to connect one network to another network and to route data packets from network to network. In this case the device is called a router. Routers break up broadcast domains in such a way that all devices under a network segment can read and process broadcasts sent for that network segment. A router connects two or more logical subnets. Its network hub does not perform any routing. Rather, it forwards every packet it receives on a network line to other network lines.

Routers operate in two different planes:

Control plane: Where the router selects the appropriate outgoing interface, which sends specific packets to specific destinations.

Forwarding plane: which determines the forwarding of packets received by a logical interface. Initially routers were known as gateways. It was first conceived by the International Networking Group (INWG), an international computer network research group. Today, all networking uses IP at the network layer, making multiprotocol routers obsolete. Origins of Routing General purpose mini computers were used as routers. Router manufacturers include Cisco, Netgear, Asus etc.

There are two types of routers:

(i) Wireless routers (i) Wired routers

(i) Wireless Router: It is a networking device which can act as a wireless access point in addition to providing the facilities of a router. It is used to provide Internet access or to a computer network, without any cable connection. It is used in wired LAN, wireless LAN or combined wired/wired network. Recently used routers have the following features –

LAN port, which provides all the features of a network switch port.

One port, used in large area network additions. The routing fashion is filtered using this port. Many router functions can be bypassed if this port is not used.

Wireless Antenna: It provides connectivity to other wireless devices-NICs (Network Interface Cards), wireless repeaters, wireless access points and wirelanes, bridges etc.

(ii) Wired routers : Wired routers are connected to other network devices through Ethernet cables. It facilitates standard and easy connectivity. 10 May. or Par se bandwidth. The run length of an individual Ethernet cable is limited to approximately 100 C, but Ethernet can easily be used in a school or office network. Some other types of routers:

Edge Router: It is installed at one end of the ISP network, which is connected to the autonomous system of another provider or a large enterprise through External BGP (EBGP).

Subscriber Edge Router: It is placed at one end of a subscriber network. It is also connected to the provider's AS via BGP.

Inter-Provider Border Router: These are interconnected ISPs. It is a BGP speaking router that maintains compatibility of BGP sessions with other BGP speaking routers within the provider's AS.