Router: What Is A Router?

ROUTER
WHAT IS A ROUTER?
A router is a device in computer networking that forwards data packets to their

destinations, based on their addresses. The work a router does it called routing, which is
somewhat like switching, but a router is different from a switch. Router connects different
networks, mostly plays an important role in routing of long distance networks.
NETWORKING DEVICES:
-Repeater
-Hub
-Switch
-Bridge
-Router
REPEATER:
It is a Layer 1 device, it regenerates the signal. Single port device, Analog and Digital
are two types of Repeater.
HUB:
It is layer 1 device, multiport device. Broadcasting device means data transfers from
one port to all the remaining ports. It is also called as multiport Repeater. It has minimum 4
ports and maximum 24 ports. Active, Passive, Manageable, Hybrid hub are four types of
hubs.
SWITCH:
It is layer 2, layer 3 device. It is Accepts incoming data from one port and forwarding
to correct outgoing port, this process is called as switching. This process is done based on
MAC address. Switch is a Unicast device. It has minimum 8 ports and maximum 48 ports.
Layer 3 is Manageable switch.
BRIDGE:
The bridge is used to segment a network, holding back the frames intended for the
local area network while transmitting those meant for other networks. This reduces traffic
(and especially collisions) on all networks, and increases the level of privacy. It is a layer 2
device.
ROUTER:
Router enables connection between two different networks .It is a layer 3 devices.
Router is a WAN connectivity device.
Front view of Cisco Router:
Rear panel Of Cisco Router:

Network Diagram with Router:
Above structure explains how connections are made between different networks using
Router.
HOW ROUTER WORKS:
In a nutshell, routers do exactly what their name says: They route data from a LAN to
another router, then another router, and so on until data is received at its destination. Routers
also act as traffic cops, allowing only authorized machines to transmit data into the local
network so that private information can remain secure. In addition to supporting these dial-in
and leased connections, routers also handle errors, keep network usage statistics, and handle
security issues.
ROUTER COMPONENTS:
• ROM
• RAM
• FLASH
• NVRAM
ROM (READ ONLY MEMORY):
 Post
 Boot Strap
 Mini IOS.
Post:
Power on self test port is the series of diagnostics test for Router. Post has 14
sequences in the Router
Boot Strap:
Boot Strap is a programme which initializes Microprocessor for booting. Boot Strap
loads IOS image from NVRAM.
IOS:
Internetwork Operating System. It is Operating System for Routers.
RAM (RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY):
RAM temporarily stores instructions required by Microprocessor.
NVRAM:
NVRAM is Non Volatile Random Access Memory. It consists stat up Configuration

for the Router. NVRAM takes the OS from Flash and given to RAM for booting.
FLASH:
It is a Non volatile memory. It consists of IOS image. It is consider as hard disk of the
router.
ROUTER BOOT PROCESS:
1. Router performs Post
2. Boot Strap Program is loaded and executed.
3. Boot strap loads configuration file into RAM.

FUNCTIONS OF ROUTER:
• Routing
• Switching
• Best Path selection
• Packet filtering
Routing:
It is ability of Router to forward packets from one network to another.
Switching:
Router accepts incoming packets and forwards correct outgoing port
Best Path selection:
When Router has multiple paths to forward packets than Router selects best path to
reach destinations for packets based on traffic, distance and bandwidth.
Packet filtering:
Router checks the packets whether they are corrupted or not and they belongs to that
destination or not.
ROUTER PORTS:
• WAN Ports
• LAN Ports
• Administrative ports
WAN Ports:
Serial and BRI are the two ports for WAN connectivity. This Port is used to
connecting one Router to another Router.
LAN Ports:
Fast Ethernet, Ethernet are types of ports for LAN connection. This Port is used for
connecting Router to Switch.
Administrative Ports:
Console and Auxiliary are the two ports for configuring the Router. So these ports are
called as administrative ports.
TYPES OF ROUTERS:
• Modular Router
• Fixed Router
Modular Router:
It has Expansion slots. If ports are not working we can replace ports by replacing
expansion cards.
Fixed Router:
In this Router ports cannot be removed. All the ports are fixed to the Router.

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ROUTER

A router is a device in computer networking that forwards data packets to their

Front view of Cisco Router:

Rear panel Of Cisco Router:

HOW ROUTER WORKS:

Internetwork Operating System. It is Operating System for Routers.

RAM (RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY):

RAM temporarily stores instructions required by Microprocessor.

NVRAM is Non Volatile Random Access Memory. It consists stat up Configuration

ROUTER BOOT PROCESS:

1. Router performs Post

2. Boot Strap Program is loaded and executed.

3. Boot strap loads configuration file into RAM.

• Best Path selection

It is ability of Router to forward packets from one network to another.

Router accepts incoming packets and forwards correct outgoing port

Best Path selection:

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