- A cable/DSL router allows an individual to network a high-speed cable or DSL Internet connection. This allows multiple computers to share one high-speed connection, with all of them using one IP address. This can be very helpful, as many high-speed-Internet providers charge additional fees for using multiple IP addresses. Sharing can save a lot of money, especially for a small business, which may need to have several computers linked to the same account. Most cable/DSL routers have two types of connection, one for the Internet and the other for several computers to be connected to the network.
- Cable/DSL routers aren't actually routers in the true sense. Instead, they are gateways for computers. Cable/DSL routers use a process called network address translation, also known as NAT. NAT allows multiple computers to have access to the Internet while still using the same IP address. When a computer is turned on, it gets an IP address from the router. This is a private address that is only accessible through the router. Then, when the computer wants to access the Internet, it sends a request to the router, which then connects to the Internet. The Internet server then sends the requested information back to the router, which then forwards it to the computer.
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Most cable/DSL routers are said to have a built-in firewall. This is in a way accurate, because only one IP address is being used. That means any incoming messages have to be sent through the router and directed to the right computer. Unless a command or incoming message includes instructions for where the message is supposed to go, the router will discard it. This helps prevent unwanted commands from reaching computers via the router.
Setting up a cable/DSL router is very simple. The Internet connection will go into one end, and the computers will plug into another end. Most computers will then be able to automatically detect this router and change their network settings as a result.
