Routers & Access Point

What is a router?

A router is a networking device which connects two or more packet-switched networks or sub-networks. It is mainly used for managing the network traffic and allowing multiple devices to use the same internet connection. A wifi router is responsible for receiving, analysing and forwarding data packets among the connected networks.

The optimum functioning of a router significantly depends on the routing table stored in it. The table holds the available routes for all destinations. The router consults the routing table to determine the optimal course through which the data packets can be transmitted. A routing table consists of the following entities:

1. IP addresses of the routers in a network

2. IP address and subnet mask of the nodes in the network

3. Interface information among the network devices and channels 

Network routers are used everywhere in our day-to-day lives as these connect various networks which are spread over long distances. Some of the common applications of routers are listed below:

1. Routing machines are the building blocks of Telecom service providers. These connect core hardware equipment and other servers to a remote location network. The routers are thus the foundation of mobile operations.

2. Routers are used for deploying the operation and maintenance centre of an organisation.

3. These are capable of supporting a fast rate of data transmission and are thus ideal for both wired and wireless communication. Routers use high bandwidth STM links for connectivity, allowing them to transfer data at high speed.

4. The organisation can easily configure the router to restrict access to the network. This feature keeps the data safe and secured within the company.

5. Internet service providers extensively use routers to send data from source to destination in the form of e-mail, voice, image, web page or a video file. The data can be sent worldwide, provided that the destination has an IP address.

Different types of Wired and Wireless Routers available at Industrybuying?

A variety of routers can be classified based on their usage and application. The main types of routers which are available online are listed below:

Wireless Routers:

Wireless Routers are hardware devices used to connect to a cable or internet network. These are most commonly found in homes. 

a) A wireless router, also called a wifi router, combines the functionality of a wifi access point and a router. These routers can securely provide internet access to smartphones, laptops and other devices.

b) These are found in a wireless local area network (WLAN) for homes and small offices. It enables internet and local cable access in the specified area.

c) Depending on the capabilities and specifications, a wireless router can support a few to hundreds of simultaneous users.

d) A wireless router machine can also function as a firewall that can block, monitor, control and filter incoming and outgoing network traffic.

Broadband Routers:

Broadband Routers are used to connect to the internet through telephone and to use voice over internet protocol technology for providing high-speed internet access.

a) A broadband router, also known as a broadband modem, combines the features of a network switch and firewall in a single device.

b) Apart from sharing internet connection, a broadband modem enables sharing of files, printers, and other resources between home computers and other electronic devices.

c) These routers enable broadband internet access for the users and can be connected using wired or wireless LAN.

d) Newer broadband routers have a wired connection to the internet modem. These can connect with the devices wirelessly using the wifi standards.

Core Routers:

Core Routers are capable of routing the data within the network however, it is not capable of routing the data between two different networks.

a) These can be used to link all the devices within a network thus forming a strong foundation.

b) A core router is most commonly used by communication interfaces. It is used in large computer networks as a firm backbone.

c) It is the most powerful, fastest and the most expensive class of routers available in the market.

Edge Routers:

Edge Routers are low capacity routers which are placed at the periphery of the network. These are responsible for connecting the internal network to the external network and are suitable for transferring data packets across different networks.

a) These are primarily used at two demarcation points which are- the Wide Area Network(WAN) and internet.

b) Edge routers focus on complex configurations and security issues. These routing devices aim at keeping with these challenges rather than speed.

c) It is a suitable router for office as it enables remote accessibility by allowing the employees to connect to the corporate LAN through the network edge. 

Top Router Brands and their Features:

1. TP-Link Router

a) It is a wireless router which is capable of functioning at high speed. This router is capable of handling a great speed up to 300 Mbps and thus is an excellent choice for both home and office.

b) It enables a download speed of up to 150 Mbps and is ideal for streaming videos and playing games in high-definition quality.

c) The TP-Link router machine is portable and can be carried around easily. It can function anywhere simply with the help of a SIM card and connectivity.

d) This router allows you to share 4G LTE networks with more than one WIFI access devices.

e) The TP-Link router is inclusive of both LAN and WAN ports which can support a vast range of connection types.

2. D-Link Router

a) It is a renowned brand that manufactures consumer and enterprise-grade networking hardware. It allows you to connect multiple devices to the network and efficiently manages the traffic.

b) This router is fitted with four high-gain antennas that allow greater coverage for various devices including- TV, laptop, smartphones etc.

c) It is a dual band router, the 2.4GHz band can support speeds up to 500Mbps and the 5GHz band can support 867Mbps, with a total speed of up to 1367Mbps. This speed is sufficient to ensure concurrent transmission of Wifi streams for multiple devices.

d) D-link can easily provide coverage in a medium-sized house. It is equipped with the advanced MU-MIMO technology, that ensures effective coverage with minimum signal lag.

3. Netgear Router

a) Netgear is a popular brand which is known for producing networking hardware for consumers, businesses and service providers. Their products include wired and wireless devices for broadband access and network connectivity.

b) It has a good range of coverage and can handle video streaming, web surfing, lag-free gaming and multiple other activities smoothly.

c) The router can be used for both wired and wireless connections and supports both gigabit WAN and LAN speeds. It is compatible with most operating systems.

d) It allows the users to enjoy download speeds of up to 600Mbps and is an ideal choice for both corporate and residential users.

4. Mikrotik Router

a) Mikrotik provides smart network solutions in its RouterOS system including configuration, firewall, VPN, wireless access, routing and other tools.

b) The most peculiar feature of this router is its VPN feature which enables an extension of a private network across a public network, such as the internet. 

c) It has a user-friendly interface and is a cost-effective solution for networking at home or at the office.

d) It comes with an inbuilt firewall which is useful due to the following reasons-

1. Protects the router from unauthorized access
2. Prioritizes the traffic
3. It can masquerade all connections from private addresses and hide it behind one external address.

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Routers and Access Point - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)