Everything to know about Router – Basics, Working & Technicality

Wireless routers are important for many of us because it provides internet to our home.  But we really don’t understand what it is, and many of us don’t’ know what they technically are, and how they differentiate from a modem. Here, we’ll give you a basic breakdown of what a router is so that you can understand your network devices better.

The basics of a Router: What does it Do?

A router is basically what connects devices within networks, and data packets are essentially are sent between one another, or from devices to the internet itself. Routers do this by assigning the IP address to each device on the network in order to ensure that the data packets are in the right areas, rather than being lost within the network.

To put this into perspective, it’s basically like a courier package which needs an address so it ends up at the right place. Your network is a suburban road, and while you may have that location, it won’t be enough, and the router is how it gets there.

With this, you send the data from the sender out, and essentially, it sends the data to the right different device itself.

A Security Line We all Need

Routers have the purpose of being the first security line when there is a network intrusion.  Having the highest security level on a router is the best way to keep the computer system, and the information, safe from the attack.

Routers are also where the software and the firmware are, and if they need to be updated, they can be released by the manufacturer. They often are connected via network cables, and they don’t need drivers in order to operate, whether it be in windows or other OSes, however, they need to connect to a computer with the drivers if they’re connected either via USB or FireWire.

They often act as DHCP servers in small networks too, and they’re often produced by companies such as Belkin, Linksys, and Motorola.

The Connection to a Modem

They are the connection point between the modem, whether it be fiber, cable, or DCL, and this connects the modem to the devices in order to enable communication between all of this and the internet. Most of these routers, even the wireless kind, usually have several network areas to connect a bunch of devices at the same time. Typically, these are connected in a physical sense with a network cable, to the internet via either a WAN port or even physically. Sometimes, you can use a network cable, to a network interface card, and from there, to the devices that are there. A router connects the wireless to the devices, and it al is on the same standard.

The IP address that’s there is the public IP address, and it’s assigned to the local area network in a private IP address as well. The private is usually a default way to get into there.

Wireless routers and wired routers with many different connections are often the network switches that connect and allow the devices to communicate with one another. Routers are used for example, to connect to printers so that you can configure and share files amongst them, and you can do this with computers too.

So is there Really a Difference

You will notice that they are similar in nature, with two smaller pieces of hardware that sit in there. While they both have plugs and jacks on the back, have similar shapes and sizes and have flashing lights to indicate what they’re doing, involve online and computer connection. But, while they work hand in hand, they actually do two very different things.  They are both related to the internet, and both are required if you are going to be using the internet in all shapes and sizes.

Your modem essentially connects the wire from the outside, getting your internet data in here, and the rest of that. The other wire goes from the modem, towards the computer in order to get the requests and activity that’s happening on the computer to see what you ask for.

The router is basically your companion, for not just the modem but also you and your computer. To put it into a basic understanding, the router essentially leeches onto the modem, takes the digital signal from the modem, and then shares this. it’ll route it to the computers located in the house, so you’ve got a computer network right at home. The router will modify the IP address on the computers, and by doing that alone, it makes it harder for the hackers to get at the computer, and it can’t target any computer that’s linked to there. The router allows you to connect the internet at home with any device that is wireless, not just your computer, but also your smartphone and iPad. This will also create a secure connection with your router.

How Technical Do we Get?

Well, it’s a lot more technical than you think, but having it all connected allows for you to have the convenience, speed, and the safety that’s worthwhile. If you’re curious about where the IP address fits in this, it’s basically at the very core of this, and it will help to ensure that you send emails and information securely through the router and modem. It allows for you to direct the data to the correct computer.

And there you have it, all about a router, why they matter, and how they work. As you can see, they play a vital part in the success of your internet connection and helps to foster a connection that is safe and secure too.

This post was last modified on June 12, 2019 8:49 AM