What is a router

A router, in simple words, is a special station that receives and further sends Internet signals.. The device connects the user and the provider who "distributes" the Internet.

In addition, the device is necessary for the distribution of the received signal. It receives a signal and divides it into several devices that are connected to it. Also, the router transmits a signal in the opposite direction - from the subscriber to the Internet.

This device has a protective function. It encodes data using special protocols: WPA, WEP and others.

If you install the necessary software on the router, you can additionally connect a proxy server and use many useful functions.

REFERENCE! The router is indispensable when connecting to the Internet. It receives and shares the signal. At the same time, it makes it unavailable for subscribers who are not on the allowed list.

Some users think that the router and the router are different devices. The router in translation from English means "tracing paper", and translated into Russian - the router. Therefore, a router and a router can be considered synonymous words for a single device.

The router differs significantly from the modem:

1. The router not only receives the signal, but also divides it. Modem - transmits to one external device.
2. The router has a personal IP address, the modem does not have one.
3. A modem can perform one function, while a router is multifunctional.

The operation of the router is to receive and distribute the signal between the connected devices or servers. He does this according to a special routing table, where all subscribers are listed and the necessary protocols are spelled out. It is on the basis of the information recorded in the table that the paths along which the signal is distributed will be determined.

The table allows you to organize a network in such a way that each signal has its own path, while it does not intersect with other channels.

The scheme is organized in such a way that for each connected subscriber the optimal path is chosen with a minimum signal reception time..

So that there is no conflict between the subscribers, each of them is assigned an individual IP address. It is also necessary to determine the optimal signal transmission route. The router periodically sends a signal to a specific IP address. This is necessary in order for the network map information to be updated and relevant.

Connecting the router to external devices looks like this:

• when connecting the service, the provider gets special cables and installs the necessary equipment;
• The main cable is connected to the corresponding WAN port located on the back of the router's case — it is blue;
• Since the system units do not have a built-in Wi-Fi module, a LAN cable connecting it to the router is routed to them - the LAN ports on the router body are colored yellow for convenience.

REFERENCE! Devices that have a module for wireless data transmission are connected via Wi-Fi.

Each router model has its own connection restrictions. This is indicated in the passport of the product. But for home use of ordinary inexpensive models is enough.

The wireless connection has a nuance - speed. The speed of signal transmission depends on the power of the router's regular antenna and on the specific Wi-Fi standard the device supports. Some external factors can affect the speed, for example, a large distance between devices or the presence of thick walls.

Despite the fact that all routers are designed to receive and distribute the signal between external devices, they have several types. In order to make network settings correctly, you need to know which view is used.

Broadband

This option is used to connect to broadband internet. Similar models have a telephone jack on their case.

They need to connect multiple computers to the Internet or the organization of a telephone line. Also a broadband router is needed if using IP telephony.

Wireless

Such a router is necessary for organizing wireless data transfer between devices.

Since the personal computer does not have a WI-Fi module, the router is connected to it using a cable. After the two devices are connected, you need to go to the settings of the router and enable the wireless connection. You must also set a password to log in.

This is required in order to protect your network from scammers or devices that are not subscribers. In addition, a security key is required.

ATTENTION! Do not save the security key anywhere on your computer!

After all the necessary settings have been made, the router will start distributing Wi-Fi.

Routers are quite reliable devices. Usually they do not require special care, adjustment or adjustment and can work for many years.

With routers, the World Wide Web has become accessible to millions of users. Perhaps after some period of time, these devices will become unnecessary. But in the meantime, they are indispensable for anyone who wants to use the Internet.