Routers

Basic Hardware Components for Computer Network
Routers

Routers are the networking device that forward data packets along networks by using
headers and forwarding tables to determine the best path to forward the packets. Routers
work at the network layer of the TCP/IP model or layer 3 of the OSI model. Routers also
provide interconnectivity between like and unlike media (RFC 1812) This is
accomplished by examining the Header of a data packet, and making a decision on the
next hop to which it should be sent (RFC 1812) They use preconfigured static routes,
status of their hardware interfaces, and routing protocols to select the best route between
any two subnets. A router is connected to at least two networks, commonly two LANs or
WANs or a LAN and its ISP's network. Some DSL and cable modems, for home use,
have been integrated with routers to allow multiple home computers to access the
Internet.