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Routers

    Routers Editor's Picks

    • How to Understand Routers

      A router makes the entire Internet system work as the hardware that transmits information on the Internet. Sometimes one large computer performs as a router to create a network of computers. This effectively connects every computer within this network to every other computer. This computer network can be in close physical proximity... more »

    • How to Configure Routers

      Get the most out of your broadband connection with the help of a wireless router. Routers allow multiple computers to plug in for internet access and they also generate a wireless internet signal for local access. Whether you're gaming online or file sharing, a wireless router is an essential Internet tool. more »

    • How Do Wireless Routers Function?

      A wireless router allows multiple devices to access one Internet connection across a network. Wireless routers can also be used within a company, for example, to transfer data between machines on Intranet network. more »

    • About Linksys Wireless Routers

      Linksys's plug and play wireless routers make networking easy for homes and businesses. Linksys implements the latest in wireless networking technology in their routers to give you the speed, range and mobility you need. Rely on your Linksys router for home networks, online gaming and creating hotspots. more »

    • About Routers Versus Switches

      Both routers and switches are used in Ethernet local area networking. However, these two networking devices function in very different ways. Whether you need a router, a switch or both will depend on the size of your network and the amount of traffic it must process on a daily basis. more »

    Routers Quick Guides

    • Broadband for Beginners

      If you have been using a dial-up Internet connection and are looking for something faster,...

    • Computer Accessories

      Your computer is made up of more than just a modem. Accessories like a keyboard, mouse and...

    • Virus Protection 101

      Computer viruses, Trojans, spyware and adware are programs known as malware that can infect a...

    • Computer Networking Tutorial

      If you have multiple computers in your home or office and want them to share resources, such...

    Routers Articles

    • About Routers

      A router is a networking device that allows the transfer of data between computers. In the end user world, routers are the hardware piece that... more »

    • How to Use Two Wireless Routers

      Because of the nature of wireless networks, it's a common task to want to connect to multiple wireless routers depending on your location.... more »

    • About Broadband Routers

      If you decide to set up a network, employing broadband access is a great option. The use of broadband routers allows you to connect several... more »

    • About LinkSys Routers

      LinkSys routers are one of many brands of routers available to people who wish to connect to the Internet from their homes. LinkSys is a fairly... more »

    • About Wi-Fi Routers

      Wireless routers, or Wi-Fi routers as they are commonly known, allow for greater freedom to Internet access for laptop users. Although it has been... more »

    Wikipedia

    Router

    A router, in the United States, Canada, and Australia, and in the UK and Ireland (to differentiate it from the tool used to rout wood), is an electronic device used to connect two or more computers or other electronic devices to each other, and usually to the Internet, by wire or radio signals. This allows several computers to communicate with each other and to the Internet at the same time. If wires are used, each computer is connected by its own wire to the router. Modern wired-only routers designed for the home or small business typically have one "input" port (to the Internet) and four "output" ports, one or more of which can be connected to other computers. A typical modern home wireless router, in addition to having four wired ports, also allows several devices to connect with it wirelessly. Most modern personal computers are built with a wired port (almost always an Ethernet type), which allows them to connect to a router with the addition of just a cable (typically a Category 5e type). To connect with a wireless router, a device must have an adapter. This is sometimes, but not always, included with the computer at manufacture. Some electronic games, including handheld electronic games, have an adapter built-in, or one can be added later.

    More technically, a router is a networking device whose software and hardware are usually tailored to the tasks of routing and forwarding information. Routers connect two or more logical subnets, which do not necessarily map one-to-one to the physical interfaces of the router.,RFC 1812, F. Baker, June 1995 The term "layer 3 switching" is often used interchangeably with routing, but switch is a general term without a rigorous technical definition. In marketing usage, a switch is generally optimized for Ethernet LAN interfaces and may not have other physical interface types. In comparison, the network hub (predecessor of the "switch" or "switching hub") does not do any routing, instead every packet it receives on o read more at » http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Router

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