A router is an electronic device used to connect 2 computer networks together. A router is typically used to provide shared access to the internet. This is very common in both homes and businesses which contain more than 1 computer. The idea is very similar to splitting a cable TV signal. Utilizing a cable splitter, all of the televisions in the home may watch different channels at the same time. Applying this idea to computer networks, a router will allow all computers in the house to independently connect to the internet at the same time. Cool eh?

A routers’ main job is to concurrently forward and route information between multiple computers from 2 different computer networks. The biggest example of a computer network is that of the internet, which is the largest network of computers on the planet. As stated, most small home and business networks use a router to connect to the internet.

Physically speaking, computers on the local network connect to the router using ethernet cables. Wireless connectivity between computer and router is becoming more popular as well. A router has a special ethernet port typically labeled “internet” or “WAN” (which stands for Wide Area Network). This is where you connect your broadband modem to the router, by means of an ethernet cable. The router acts as a gateway to the internet, directing information to and from the correct computer on the local network. Like a cop directing traffic in a busy intersection during a blackout, a router must route and direct information (the traffic) in a controlled and effective manner. This ensures that the computer who made the request for information will receive the correct information.

Has this helped you? Do you still need some clarification? Please let me know how I can make this better. If you have questions, do ask!

Thanks to Sarah for requesting the topic.

This entry was posted on Monday, July 14th, 2008 at 2:31 pm and is filed under Computer Hardware. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.