what is a router?

Answer 1

A 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, and are the critical device that keeps data flowing between networks and keeps the networks connected to the Internet. When data is sent between locations on one network or from one network to a second network the data is always seen and directed to the correct location by the router. They accomplish his by using headers and forwarding tables to determine the best path for forwarding the data packets, and they use protocols such as ICMP to communicate with each other and configure the best route between any two hosts.

Answer 2

A router is a more advance (or smart) switch.

The Simple answers.....

A switch is a device that allows you to hook up more than one PC to talk to each other or so all PC's on the switch can access the Internet instead of having separate lines. The limitation of a switch is that it shares the Internet Bandwidth.... which makes the Internet access slow for all the PC's on the switch.

A Router can route each PC as a separate PC on it's own line, so Internet Bandwidth is not divided amongst all the PC's on the Router. Routers also can have firewalls, encryptions and other factors to make your PC safer from casual hacking.

Of course, their are more to these hardware devices than I explained. But, these are the basic differences of what the devices are.

Answer 3

The simplest description is: A router is like a splitter for your internet connection. It allows you to divide the internet signal in order to be used on more than one computer.

Answer 4

You use router to device your networks to other computers and you can use it with wireless too.