Router
lastmod 2026-08-23created 2017-04-2727 edits
A router (router[a]; North Korean standard language: gyeongnogi, "route device") is a device that extracts the destination of a packet, determines the best path to that destination, and forwards the data packet along this path to the next device.
A router connects two or more logical subnetworks, which do not correspond to the router's physical interfaces. Layer 3 switching is often used interchangeably with the term routing, but switching is a general term rather than a strict technical definition. In marketing terms, a switch is optimized for Ethernet LAN interfaces and does not support other physical interfaces. By comparison, a network hub (the predecessor of switches and switching hubs) lets every packet received on one network line be delivered to all other network lines, but does not perform any routing.
Categories
- Router:CreateRouter - How to turn anything into a router
- NAT (Network Address Translation; Korean: 네트워크 주소 변환)
How it works
A router is not simply a device that shares an Internet connection. It plays the central role of translating internal private IPs into an external global IP so that multiple devices can use the Internet.
For how this works, see NAT (Network Address Translation; Korean: 네트워크 주소 변환).
Wireless router buying guide
Wireless is based on Wi-Fi, so see that page. For other features, check the router's specs.
To increase the number of devices that can connect, the basic step is to increase RAM capacity.
2024
- BEST Wireless Router Tier List 2024 - YouTube
- Best Wi-Fi Routers for 2024 - CNET
- The best Wi-Fi routers for performance, range, and value. | Tom's Guide
Product
- A2008 - Wired/wireless router (at b5t, used long-term; still in use as of 2024-11-07)
- RT-BE88U - Wired/wireless router (at b5t, purchase request drafted 2024-11-07)
See also
- Network switch - Includes the differences between hubs, switches, and routers.
- Link aggregation
- SNMP
- Wi-Fi
- Wireless access point (AP)