2007-01-02 08:54:39 · 7 answers · asked by test u 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Computer Networking
Router is a device that forwards data packets along networks. A router is connected to at least two networks, commonly two LANs or WANs or a LAN and its ISP’s network. Routers are located at gateways, the places where two or more networks connect.
2007-01-02 10:02:34 · answer #1 · answered by Brownskin 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A simple way of thinking of it - it's a splitter. Your ISP gives you one and only one address. With a router, you can take that one address and share it amongst several PCs.
This may be adding a bit of unneeded information - the two answers are right - except routers aren't faster than switches.
A router is just a switch with a DHCP server.
Switches and routers intelligently route information, and hubs do not - which leads to packet loss.
2007-01-02 17:03:19 · answer #2 · answered by Prakash V 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A router is a computer networking device that forwards data packets across a network toward their destinations, through a process known as routing. Routing occurs at Layer 3 (the network layer i.e. Internet Protocol (IP)) of the OSI seven-layer protocol stack.
John
A+ Certified
2007-01-02 16:57:38 · answer #3 · answered by A+ Certified Professional 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A router "routes" traffice from your home network onto the Internet. These days they are generally wireless routers that will transfer network traffice from your home computers / laptops onto the Internet, and vice versa. They connect to Broadband connection, sort of a replacement to your modem when people used dial up.
2007-01-02 17:06:27 · answer #4 · answered by Lee 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Routers are not faster than hubs, bridges, and switches because they use lookup tables to find the exact destination, while the others pass on messages to all or some of the some computers without looking up the destination.
Routers may be considered "better," depending on their use, but definitely not "faster" than hubs, bridges, and switches. In fact, they are slower than the others.
2007-01-02 17:05:23 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A router is a smart device used to link existing networks. Most people though, use them in homes to connect computers to one cable modem and speed things up.
Routers are faster than hubs, bridges and switches.
2007-01-02 17:00:44 · answer #6 · answered by #Reistlehr- 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It is basically a box that networks 2 or more computers together. There are 2 varieties: Wired and wireless. If you ever plan to go wireless in the future (if not straight away when you get it), get a wireless. It might cost more (generally $20), but at least you've the option whether to keep it wired or go without 'em.
2007-01-02 17:13:25 · answer #7 · answered by brad_nakken 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋