In this article, we will delve into what a router is, how it works, the difference between a router and a modem, and how many routers there are on the market.
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What are routers?
A router is a device that connects two or more networks or subnets. It serves two main functions: managing traffic between these networks by forwarding data packets to the target IP address, and allowing multiple devices to use the same Internet connection.
There are several different types of routers, but most routers transfer data between LANs (local area networks) and WANs (wide area networks or WiFi networks). A LAN is a group of devices that are connected and limited to a specific area. LANs usually require a single router.
In contrast, a WAN is a large network spread over a large area. For example, large organizations and companies operating in multiple locations across the country will need separate LANs for each location, which are then connected to other LANs to form a WAN. Because a WAN is distributed over a wide area, it often requires multiple routers and switch (switch).
How do routers work?
Think of the router as an air traffic controller and the data packets as planes headed to different airports (or networks). Just as every plane has a unique destination and follows a unique route, each packet needs to be directed to its destination as efficiently as possible. Similar to how an air traffic controller ensures that an aircraft reaches its destination without getting lost or experiencing problems along the way, a router helps redirect data packets to their destination IP address.
To efficiently route packets, routers use an internal routing table – a list of paths to different destinations on the network. The router reads the packet’s header to determine where it’s going, then consults the routing table to find the most efficient path to that destination. It then forwards the packet to the next network in the path.
Difference between Router and Modem
Although some Internet service providers (ISPs) may combine a router and a modem in a single device, they are not the same. Each plays a different but equally important role in connecting networks to each other and to the Internet.
Routers form networks and manage the flow of data within and between those networks, while modems connect those networks to the Internet. The modem makes a connection to the Internet by converting the signal from the ISP into a digital signal that any connected device can understand. A device that can be plugged into a modem to connect to the Internet; Routers can help distribute this signal to multiple devices in an established network, allowing them all to connect to the Internet.
Example: If Bob has a router but no modem, he will be able to create a LAN and send data between devices on that network. However, he will not be able to connect that network to the Internet. On the other hand, Alice has a modem but no router. She will be able to connect one device to the Internet (e.g. Laptop), but not be able to distribute that Internet connection to multiple devices (e.g., computer and phone). And Carol has both a router and a modem. Using both devices, she can create a LAN with her desktop, tablet and phone and connect them all to the Internet at the same time.
Different types of routers
To connect a LAN to the Internet, the router first needs to communicate with a modem. There are two main ways to do this:
- Wireless Routers: The wireless router uses an Ethernet cable to connect to the modem. It distributes data by converting packets from binary code into radio signals, which then broadcast wirelessly using antennas. The wireless router does not establish a LAN; instead, they create WLANs (wireless local area networks), connecting multiple devices using wireless communication.
- Wired Router: Like a wireless router, a wired router also uses an Ethernet cable to connect to the modem. It then uses separate cables to connect to one or more devices in the network, forming a LAN, and linking the devices in that network to the Internet.
In addition to wireless and wired routers for small LANs, we also have a variety of specialized routers that serve specific functions:
- Core Routers: Unlike routers used in home or small business LANs, core routers are used by corporations and large businesses to transmit large amounts of data packets in their networks. These routers operate at the “core” of the network and do not communicate with external networks.
- Edge Router: While the core router manages the data traffic in a large-scale network, the edge router communicates with both the core router and the external network. Edge routers operate at the “edge” of the network and use BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) to send and receive data from other LANs and WANs.
- Virtual Router: A virtual router is a software application that performs the same function as a standard hardware router. It can use Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) to set up primary and backup virtual routers, if one router fails.
Some router-related security challenges
Exploiting security holes: All hardware-based routers come with automatically installed software called firmware that helps the router perform its functions. Like any other software, router firmware often contains vulnerabilities that cyber attackers can exploit, and router vendors must periodically release updates to patch these vulnerabilities. For this reason, the router firmware needs to be updated regularly. Unpatched routers can be compromised by attackers, allowing them to monitor traffic or use the router as part of a network. botnet. Now there are Router Vulnerability Scan Tool to help hackers exploit more easily.
DDoS attack: Organizations large and small are often the target of denial of service (DDoS) attacks against their network infrastructure. Unregulated network layer DDoS attacks can overwhelm routers or cause them to crash, leading to network failure. Cloudflare Magic Transit is a solution to protect routers and networks from various types of DDoS attacks.
Login information: All routers come with a set of administrator credentials to perform administrative functions. These credentials usually have a default value, such as “admin” as the username and “admin” as the password. Usernames and passwords should be reset to something more secure as soon as possible: attackers know the common defaults for these credentials and can use them to gain permissions. Remotely control the router if you don’t change the password.
