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Data Packets Computer Networks Internet Microprocessor: Router

Routers are networking devices that forward data packets between different networks. They read address information in packets to determine the destination and use routing tables to direct each packet through multiple networks on its journey. Routers connect local networks like home/office networks to larger networks and the internet through cable/DSL modems. More sophisticated routers connect large business and ISP networks, including the high-speed backbone lines of the internet.

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Nitin Singhal
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18 views

Data Packets Computer Networks Internet Microprocessor: Router

Routers are networking devices that forward data packets between different networks. They read address information in packets to determine the destination and use routing tables to direct each packet through multiple networks on its journey. Routers connect local networks like home/office networks to larger networks and the internet through cable/DSL modems. More sophisticated routers connect large business and ISP networks, including the high-speed backbone lines of the internet.

Uploaded by

Nitin Singhal
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Router-

A router is a device that forwards data packets across computer networks. Routers perform the
data "traffic directing" functions on the Internet. A router is a microprocessor-controlled device
that is connected to two or more data lines from different networks. When a data packet comes in
on one of the lines, the router reads the address information in the packet to determine its
ultimate destination. Then, using information in its routing table, it directs the packet to the next
network on its journey. A data packet is typically passed from router to router through the
networks of the Internet until it gets to its destination computer. Routers also perform other tasks
such as translating the data transmission protocol of the packet to the appropriate protocol of the
next network, and preventing unauthorized access to a network by the use of a firewall.[1]

The most familiar type of routers are home and small office routers that simply pass data, such as
web pages and email, between the home computers and the owner's cable or DSL modem, which
connects to the Internet (ISP). However more sophisticated routers range from enterprise routers,
which connect large business or ISP networks up to the powerful core routers that forward data
at high speed along the optical fiber lines of the Internet backbone

Applications-

When multiple routers are used in interconnected networks, the routers exchange information
about destination addresses, using a dynamic routing protocol. Each router builds up a table
listing the preferred routes between any two systems on the interconnected networks. A router
has interfaces for different physical types of network connections, (such as copper cables, fiber
optic, or wireless transmission). It also contains firmware for different networking protocol
standards. Each network interface uses this specialized computer software to enable data packets
to be forwarded from one protocol transmission system to another.

Routers may also be used to connect two or more logical groups of computer devices known as
subnets, each with a different sub-network address. The subnets addresses recorded in the router
do not necessarily map directly to the physical interface connections.[2] A router has two stages of
operation called planes:[3]

 Control plane: A router records a routing table listing what route should be used to
forward a data packet, and through which physical interface connection. It does this using
internal pre-configured addresses, called static routes.

A typical home or small office router showing the ADSL


telephone line and ETHERNET network cable connections.
 Forwarding plane: The router forwards data packets between incoming and outgoing
interface connections. It routes it to the correct network type using information that the
packet header contains. It uses data recorded in the routing table control plane.

Routers may provide connectivity within enterprises, between enterprises and the Internet, and
between internet service providers (ISPs) networks. The largest routers (such as the Cisco CRS-1
or Juniper T1600) interconnect the various ISPs, or may be used in large enterprise networks.[4]
Smaller routers usually provide connectivity for typical home and office networks. Other
networking solutions may be provided by a backbone Wireless Distribution System (WDS),
which avoids the costs of introducing networking cables into buildings.

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