Network routers are essential devices in computer networking that serve as the central point of between different networks. They operate at the (Layer 3) of the TCP/IP networking model and are responsible for routing data packets between networks based on the source and destination of the packet, enabling data to travel between devices on different subnets or even across the internet. Home network routers are usually combined devices that also include a and a .
Routers are responsible for data packets between networks. When a router receives a packet, it examines the destination IP address and makes routing decisions to determine the most efficient path for the packet to reach its destination. Routing is the core function of a router, and they maintain routing tables, which contain information about network and associated next-hop routers or interfaces. Routers segment larger networks into smaller , which is crucial for optimizing network performance, enhancing security, and simplifying network management.
A routing table contains information about network routes and is used to determine the best path for forwarding data from the source to the destination within a network. When a router receives a data packet, it examines the packet's IP address and looks up the IP address in its routing table. If a matching route is found, the router determines the next hop to which the data packet should be sent and the outgoing network interface. If no specific matching route is found, the router may use a to send the packet to a default gateway or the internet, repeating the process at each hop until the packet reaches its final destination.
Keywords
default route | wireless access point | destination | subnets | packets | destinations | ip address | firewall | forwarding | communication | network layer |
