What does a router consist of? What is a router in simple words

To access the Internet, in addition to a computer, you need other peripheral devices, for example, a router. Let's look at what a router is and how it is used.

A router is required to access the World Wide Web or local network. It serves to distribute information from the provider to clients. At the same time, the router performs another important task - it ensures the security of this process. Using a router, the most convenient ways to transmit information are searched. Thanks to this element, several networks are combined into one.

Purpose of the router

The router can be used in a variety of networks. Depending on this, a device with the required number of ports is selected.

• The router is indispensable in segmented local networks for effective traffic management.
• It also allows you to easily connect an Ethernet network with other networks.
• The router guarantees uninterrupted connection between the local network and the Internet.
• With its help, traffic management is carried out, which is based on network protocols. This method necessary when expanding the network and complicating its structure.
• The router promptly delivers transmitted information packets along network paths. OSPF and RIP routing protocols are used to select the shortest path. The first takes into account the number of devices located between nodes, network performance, and packet latency. It has been successfully used in large networks that require a router. The second protocol determines the most efficient path by selecting the fewest number of devices between nodes. In this case, configuration is significantly simplified, and the router does not experience any load.

Types of Routers

There are two types of routers in wide use now:

1. Wired.
2. Wireless.

Wired routers

Such a device will be an optimal element for creating simple local networks that include several PCs. It helps you configure shared access to data and peripheral devices: external hard drives, printers, scanners, and faxes.

Using any PC that is part of a local network, you can access the Internet. In this case, the Internet traffic supplied by the provider is distributed among all PCs on a given network. Wired connection characterized by greater reliability and resistance to all kinds of failures and interference.

Wireless routers

Such routers are more modern devices. They are indispensable when creating all kinds of WI-FI zones. Their presence is relevant if all kinds of tablets, laptops, as well as modern mobile devices, equipped with appropriate receivers.

The built-in receiver allows you to connect to the router and access the Internet using it. Typically, such a router has an antenna that picks up the radio signal from the transmitter and several connectors that allow, if necessary, wired connection of devices using a cable.

Using a WI-FI router at home

A network created using a router is an association of several devices, each of which can freely access the network. Of course, the network signal is distributed not only within one office or home. That is why it is advisable to protect access to it with a password.

The traffic transmission speed is distributed among all devices connected to the WI-FI network. Depending on the setting, this may occur evenly or unevenly.

Wireless routers can be used to expand existing networks based on wired routers. Once these devices are connected, clients will be able to connect without having to set up a local connection.

It is very easy to decide on the type of router you need. If only stationary PCs are installed in your home or office, then a wired device is quite enough. If you need to create a WI-FI zone, you can the best solution there will be a purchase of the device wireless type. Compare routers with each other different types not necessary at all. Each of these technical elements differs in its characteristics. The device should be selected based on specific operating conditions.

Now you know what a router is and what the principle of its operation is. You will also be interested in our other articles.

It is difficult for a novice Internet user to understand new concepts and terminologies. Find out what a router is in simple words, is not always possible, since opinions differ on the Internet, and reviews are complex and ambiguous. Therefore, this article will help you get a comprehensive answer.

What is a router and what is it for?

In simple words, a router is a device for redirecting data packets to specified addresses. Also distributes the Internet between connected consumers. Due to their versatility, access points allow wireless pairing - Wi-Fi network or wired, using a cable.

A Wi-Fi network is more often used when connecting mobile equipment - a smartphone or tablet, which allows you to move freely within the coverage area of ​​the access point. This is also a necessary measure, due to the lack of a connector for a wired connection.

Large equipment: netbook and laptop; stationary equipment: PC, TV, set-top box or game console - connect wirelessly and wired. More often, the latter option is used to achieve a stable and high-speed connection, or when the access point is remote. A Wi-Fi network is chosen if you do not want to lay additional wires or if there are no long cables.

Additional router features

Some router models are equipped with one or more USB ports. This allows you to organize personal wireless data storage for accessing media and files without using the Internet, or exchanging data between paired devices. A connected 3G/4G modem or smartphone/tablet will become a temporary or permanent alternative to wired Internet.

A router is an analogue of a small computer, thanks to which the device can work autonomously and be controlled remotely. Some models are capable of downloading torrents to a connected device, without using a PC, which is convenient when the Internet is slow.

How to choose a router

Routers are universal equipment, so the main criteria are personal preferences and operating conditions. For an apartment in a multi-storey building, a model with support for a 5 GHz frequency is better suited; for a house located in the private sector, a model with a 2.4 GHz frequency will do. More details on how to choose wifi router, described in a separate article.

Conclusion

We hope the article helped you understand what a Wi-Fi router is and what it is needed for. This useful equipment is capable of evenly distributing the Internet from one cable to several devices.

Was the article useful to you?

Rate it and support the project!

Today, perhaps, you will no longer meet a person who does not use a computer or does not have a PC at home. In addition, more and more services and programs necessary for work and leisure work when connected to internet networks.

Also, recently the situation has become increasingly popular when an apartment, house or office has not one device, but several (PCs, tablets, communicators, smartphones, etc.), each of which requires its own separate connection to the network.

The ability to connect several devices to the internet, while having one input signal point from the provider, is currently achieved using a router or router.

Photo – Networking with multiple paired devices

The router itself is network device, the purpose of which is to transmit packet data between devices paired with it and the access point - the service provider. In addition, more expensive routers are equipped with a number of additional features, including:

• the ability to set restrictions on access to sites that are potentially dangerous for software;
• ability to connect a firewall;
• the ability to encrypt network access and traffic distribution;
• ordered distribution of traffic across access points, etc.

A standard router, which can often be found both in a private home and in a company office, public places, is a small-sized equipment consisting of a hardware unit, an antenna for transmitting a Wi-Fi signal, a power supply for connecting to the mains, patch cords (patch cords).

Photo – Equipment and connection of the router

A standard router is capable of organizing a network by connecting 4 PCs via a wired connection, as well as 5-10 devices for which Wi-Fi signal channels will be allocated. However, experts do not recommend completely loading the router, especially if it is not an expensive model of this device. IN otherwise The router may freeze and cannot withstand heavy loads.

Some router models may be equipped with USB ports for connecting flash drives or hard drive. This feature will allow you to use the equipment as file server, print server, etc. In addition, some models also boast support for 3G modems.

What you should pay attention to

When choosing a router, you should consider the following features and operating parameters of this equipment:

• for organization home connection or a network for a small office, a regular (non-professional) router from the mid-price range will be sufficient;
• device support for IEEE 802.11g and IEEE 802.11n standards is required will provide data transfer speeds via Wi-Fi up to 600 Mbit/s;
• installation must support PPTP or L2TP, which will provide access to Internet communications from almost any provider.

How a wireless Wi-Fi router works

The principle of operation of the equipment is based on receiving and converting the recipient's address, which is “written” in the header of the information packet for its transmission, then the path along which the information is addressed is determined using the routing table. If the routing table does not provide any address, the information is not accepted and discarded.

Photo - Example of a user network working with a router

In practice, there are some other systems for transmitting data to devices paired with the router. For example, using the sender address or protocols upper levels headers. There are also cases when the router’s operation is based on the transmission of addresses of both the sender and the recipient, as well as filtering the transit stream of transmitted data.

How to install a Wi-Fi router: step-by-step instructions

In order to connect and configure the router yourself, you need to do the following:

1. The first thing they do to install the equipment is to connect all communications from the router to the PC and to the Internet signal transmission unit from the provider. To do this, insert an Internet cable into the connector called WAN, and insert the cable that comes with the router into one of the remaining ports; its other end is intended for the Ethernet connector on the back panel of the PC. After this, turn on the power to the device.
2. Next move on to configuration software router. The equipment setup is not standard and may differ depending on the router model and connection settings from the provider. Configuration can be done through any browser installed on your computer ( Google Chrome,Opera, Internet Explorer, etc.). To do this, you need to go to the administrative interface of the device by entering the combination of numbers in the address bar of the browser: 192.168.1.1. After pressing the Enter key, the equipment administration window should pop up. If this does not happen, then you should check the cable connection, make sure that the connection is running, and then try again.
3. The next step is directly Wi-Fi setup connections. If the router is equipped with a function quick setup, then you need to start the “Quick Setup” service and follow the prompts of the installation wizard. Among the setup steps there will be a selection of the following parameters: - type of preferred connection;

   — type of Internet connection;

4. Next you need to connect directly Wi-Fi module. To do this, the installation wizard offers the following menu.

Photo - Module Wi-Fi connections signal

After these steps, the Internet connection should already be working. However, if the Internet speed is low or constant signal loss occurs, experts recommend choosing a specific channel (from 1 to 13), saving the settings. It is also worth taking care of the access password to the signal of the router you are connecting. Otherwise, unauthorized connections are possible, which will also reduce traffic and make the router work slower.

After the router is connected and configured, all that remains is to connect the network card to your PC or laptop and use the device’s internet connection. On a laptop, you need to make sure that you press special key, including Wi-Fi mode. If this operation completed, you need to connect the device to the network.

Photo – Network indicator

To do this, right-click on the network icon on the desktop toolbar and select the name from the menu that opens. established network, click the “Connect” button.

Photo - Context menu with Internet networks installed on the device

The connection is made in a similar way for Windows 8; for other systems, the device is put into operation according to a similar scheme.

How much does a router for a computer cost?

Today the electronics market and computer equipment offers its customers a wide selection of routers, differing from each other both in the manufacturer and in some of the functional features of the device. These could be routers for home network with a few connected devices or industrial equipment to provide access to the Internet for public places and large offices. Accordingly, considering functionality device, the cost of devices will vary significantly. By visiting a store or online store of electrical goods, the client can choose the appropriate equipment that will meet the requirements for it. At the same time, he will need to deposit an amount of money ranging from 1 thousand rubles. for a standard model up to more than 25 thousand rubles. for professional multifunctional devices.

My dear reader, if you are asking such a question, then with a high degree of probability you do not need a router at all. Especially if you don’t even know what a router is. However, if you are interested in what kind of piece of hardware this is and what it can give you personally, then read this article. Let me make a reservation right away that to describe the operating principles of local computer networks and individual protocols are not the scope of this specific article. In addition, we will consider the issue only from the perspective of a simple home user, without going into the capabilities of routers in offices and corporate networks.

So what is a router? In addition to the name already announced, this device has the name “router”. However, the word “router” is a translation from the English router, which can be translated exactly as “router”. The official definition of a router sounds something like this - it is a network device that makes decisions about forwarding network layer packets between any network segments, based on the information contained in it about the network topology and a number of rules. For a person who is far from understanding the principles of the functioning of networks, this Technical information It's unlikely to help.

Therefore, I will explain what is called “on the fingers”. A router is a device that allows you to provide access to a public network to several devices (computers, laptops, tablets, mobile phones etc.) over one channel. This is what it is used for in most home networks. That is, using one connection to an Internet provider, the owner of a router can connect several devices at once.

I illustrate simple example. At home there is a desktop PC, a laptop, cellular telephone with Wi-Fi and one and only network cable, thrown into the apartment by the provider’s not-so-careful installers. You can connect only one device to this cable - either a PC or a laptop. It is impossible to connect the phone, since Wi-Fi is not provided.

If a laptop and a PC are connected to each other by a small network via a switch, then only one person will still be able to access the Internet - the PC or the laptop. Both devices will not be able to access the Internet at the same time, as there will be problems with authorization.

Now let's add a router to this diagram. Most modern routers (we consider only ready-made solutions) have several ports with RJ-45 connectors for connecting (by wire) via a network of devices, as well as wifi adapter, which also allows you to connect devices that have a similar adapter. Of course, the router has a port for provider wire connections (WAN).

With the help of a router we can connect all our home devices into a local network as it forwards packets between the home devices connected to it. In addition, by setting up authorization and completing (according to the provider’s instructions) setting up the network for Internet access, we can use it to distribute access to the World Wide Web to all devices that need it. That is, the scheme is this: the router is authorized (logs into the provider’s network), and all devices (PC, laptop, mobile phone) appear in the settings as a “gate” to the network, providing them with a common channel. Please note that the Internet channel remains the same, that is, its bandwidth is divided among everyone.

It is possible to use one of the computers as a router, but setting it up can be somewhat more complicated than setting up a ready-made solution, and for most users (such a computer must work constantly to provide Internet access to everyone else) there is no point in this option - it’s easier to buy a router. Therefore, when there are several devices at home that you would like to connect to the Internet, this is definitely a reason to look at a router.

Modern routers may also have: a built-in firewall - to protect against hacker attacks, DHCP server - for dynamic assignment of network addresses on a local network and much more. In general, for a home network, this is an excellent device that provides shared Internet access, protection and the existence of the local network itself.

I hope that it has become clearer to you what a router is and why it is needed in your apartment. In fact, in modern conditions this is a completely common device, considering the number of devices and gadgets in many families that need access to the Internet.