What is Router & Modem? Types of Router available.

The router is a network device used to connect different networks by guiding and directing the data packets it receives.  The basic function of the router is only this. Data packets have stored much information, the router inspects the information and makes the forwarding decision.

Let’s make it simpler with an example:

            Suppose you have some Desktop PCs in your office/Home and someone else has set up some servers in their office. You have configured some IP addresses on your Desktop PCs network interface card (NIC) so that they can communicate with each other. The same configuration will be done by the other user who has servers.

            Now you are using a different set of IP, let’s say 192.168.1.10 on your PC and another person using 10.1.1.20 IP on his server.

Now both the IPs are different, as you can see. Now how the communication will happen? The first solution is either you adopt his IP address sequence or his adopts yours and you both connect your devices with a cable and access the resources. This is not possible if both the location is far away or someone has a large set of devices configured in a particular IP sequence (IP Pool).

Second, you can use the router to make communication between your different networks. No one has to make changes to their existing devices, they only need to configure the router and the router will make decisions, based on the configuration, to where it needs to forward the packet or direct the traffic.

 Definition of Router is different on all websites. Actually, they all are talking about the functions that a router can perform. The basic functionality of a router is to make decisions for packet forwarding and directing the traffic. Along with all these modern routers can perform NAT, PAT, DNS services, Packet Filtering, Traffic Shaping, VPN & Tunneling and many more features. All these features can be based on license fees.

 If we take it in little technical way then a router is a Layer-3 device as per OSI model, which inspect the packet for its source and destination IP address and matches the IP address with its routing table & check if any policies are configured for it. Based on all that it takes the decision and forward or delivered the packet from the concerned interface.

 

If we look at a physical appearance then we can see that router don’t have much network port on it. You might find 3 or 4 network ports and some empty slots to insert more network cards. [images]

Two Words In regards to MODEM

The MoDem is another network device used to convert analog signals to digital signals and vice-versa. Actually, MoDem means Modulator and DeModulator. Back in days when our internet was catered via phone line, the phone company uses a modem to convert analog signal to digital signal and pass that digital signal to the router, when router sent digital signals back to the MoDem then modem receives it and convert those digital signals into analog and send it to the phone line. On the receiving end, the same process happened again. That's how communication takes place in the MoDem era.

ESET Multi-Device Security ESET Multi-Device Security Pack. ESET makes protecting all your devices simple, convenient and affordable. This antivirus bundle features ESET Unilicense, that allows you to conveniently mix and match award-winning Internet security for your Windows and Mac computers and Android? smartphones and tablets. Cybersecurity Training and Free U.S.-based Technical Support included.

Types of router available in market

1. CORE Routers : 

                                    Core routers are deployed in large enterprises. these routers can deliver faster bandwidth to other network devices like switches and access points and routers. So, those enterprises that have thousands of employees and many branch locations across the globe use core routers. some companies are like Google, Amazon, BT, Vodafone, AT&T & Airtel. These are some examples of giant companies.

2. Edge Routers : 

                                    It is used for connection with Outer networks including the internet.

 Edge routers are designed to optimize higher bandwidth to other downstream devices.  These devices are also known as "Gateway".  

Edge router and modem are somewhat interchangeable, though the latter is no longer commonly used by manufacturers or IT professionals when referencing edge routers.

Edge routers also have an incoming port for the internet and several other ports for downstream devices.

3. Distribution Routers : 

                                                These routers are connected to the Gateway and also connected to the end-user switching network, wireless access points(Wi-Fi), or router in another network segment.

4. Wireless Routers : 

                                        These devices come in many different varieties. It is integrated with the functionality of the Edge & Distribution router. Typically wireless routers are designed for home users.

Many service providers also provide a business-level wireless router to take advantage of better wireless performance, more connectivity controls, and security.

5. Virtual Routers :

                                    Virtual routers are pieces of software that allow some router functions to be virtualized in the PCs or in the cloud platform. It can be delivered as a service or SaaS. 

These software-based routers are ideal for large businesses with complex network needs. They offer flexibility, easy scalability, and a lower entry cost.

 Another benefit of virtual routers is reduced management of local network hardware. Although, it is software, so it can be installed in a virtual system environment like VirtualBox or Vmware machine. no need to purchase an extra piece of hardware for routing purposes.