computersrouters

Computers routers, commonly written as computer routers, are networking devices that connect multiple IP networks and determine the best path for data packets to travel from source to destination. Most operate at the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model, using routing tables to forward packets toward their next hop. Routers differ from switches, which primarily forward frames within a local network at Layer 2. Routers can be hardware devices, software running on general-purpose computers, or virtual instances in cloud environments.

Key functions include packet forwarding, network address translation (NAT), firewall filtering, and support for virtual private networks (VPNs). They run routing protocols (dynamic) such as RIP, OSPF, EIGRP, and BGP, which enable routers to share topology information and compute efficient routes. They can also implement static routes, access control lists (ACLs), quality of service (QoS), and DHCP relay. Many consumer routers combine routing, switching, wireless access point, and firewall features in a single device.

Types and deployment vary by scale and purpose. Home routers serve residential networks, while small business and enterprise edge routers connect local networks to larger networks or the internet. In data centers or cloud networks, software-based or virtual routers (vRouters) provide scalable routing with virtualization and SDN. Interfaces may include Ethernet, fiber, DSL, or wireless WAN; throughput and supported features vary by model. Management is usually via a web interface, command-line, or centralized management system.