For example, a hub is a basic networking device that is mainly used to forward the data between connected devices, but it cannot analyze or change anything with the transferring data. Why Routers?Ī router is more capable as compared to other network devices, such as a hub, switch, etc., as these devices are only able to execute the basic functions of the network. A virtual router runs on commodity servers, and it is packaged with alone or other network functions, like load balancing, firewall packet filtering, and wide area network optimization capabilities. It may be used to increase the reliability of the network by virtual router redundancy protocol, which is done by configuring a virtual router as a default gateway. It is also known as an intelligent device as it can calculate the best route to pass the network packets from source to the destination automatically.Ī virtual router is a software function or software-based framework that performs the same functions as a physical router. It uses protocols such as ICMP to communicate between two or more networks. Furthermore, it is more expensive than other networking devices like switches and hubs.Ī router works on the third layer of the OSI model, and it is based on the IP address of a computer.It uses the routing protocol to transfer the data across a network.It shares information with other routers in networking.For example, it is used in offices for connectivity, and you can also establish the connection between distant networks such as from Bhopal to

A router is used in LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network) environments.

Some important points of routers are given below: There are some popular companies that develop routers such are Cisco, 3Com, HP, Juniper, D-Link, Nortel, etc. A router examines a destination IP address of a given data packet, and it uses the headers and forwarding tables to decide the best way to transfer the packets.

The router is a physical or virtual internetworking device that is designed to receive, analyze, and forward data packets between computer networks.

Cisco packet tracer network examples