What Are the Different Types of Routers?

Routers play one of the most important roles in computer networking. This essential networking component manages data packets and finds the easiest and shortest routes to send them to their destination. This modus operandi of routers makes them extremely important for business communications in a network. Routers are crucial for Wi-Fi access and voice-to-video facilitation, besides managing and routing information.

Different types of routers are used in networking for the following purposes:

• Routing or forwarding data packets and information between computer networks and the Internet.

• Acting as a gateway to facilitate the transmission or dispatch of data packets between one or more LANs.

• By using IP, routers send IP packets containing data and information and IP addresses of routing and destination devices located on separate LANs.

• A router should be connected to two or more networks (e.g., two LANs or a LAN and a WAN).

• Routers are effective equipment for threat mitigation in a network.

These are the most important functions of a router. You should note that the types of routers may also depend upon the nature of the business you are engaged in. This is due to the reason that different natures or types of business require different types of routers.

Types of Routers

There are different types of routers used in networking. You have broadband routers, wireless routers, Core routers, Edge routers, and Virtual routers. The reason why you use different types of routers is that the types or nature of business vary.

This is due to the fact that you may be a manufacturing company, running a logistics business, a service-providing enterprise, or a large sales corporation. Naturally, your specific business need for sending information and data packets may differ.

 The primary reason why routers are available in various types can be understood by the following business needs:

• For Multiple Location Business Houses: If your company has several manufacturing units and sales offices, your employees need to be provided with the facility to share business applications. For this, you have to install routers to enable your employees located in different cities or places to access all critical tools like IP voice and voice conferencing. Availability of all company information can be facilitated among the staff stationed in different long-distance places with the help of routers.
• Providing Better Customer Service: Without a router, you cannot achieve this. If you want to quickly answer a trade query, you can do this with the help of a router.
• Cost Cutting Measure: For this, a router is ideal for you. You can reduce operational costs through shared printers and servers by using router technology.
• Seamless Data Packet Transmission: This is a great benefit that you can reap by using routers. IP-addressed-based sending of information must be 100% perfect. This can be achieved only through a router.

These are the reasons why you need a specific router type for your business operations.

Different Types of Routers

You can use different types of routers in your networking system. Following are the different types of routers that you can use for your business operations:

Wired Router: For a small area (e.g., your home or a small office), you can use a wired router. For LANs, this type of router will be ideal. It can create a LAN and also share data or information over cables (within the LAN).

Wireless Router: This type of router is ideal for creating or establishing WLANs (Wireless Local Area Networks). Such a router will use its antenna to share information and also create WLANs.

Edge Router: Such a type of router can be both wired or wireless. It sends information between one or more networks but not within a network. It is placed at the edge or boundary of networks and connects to the Internet service provider or networks of other organizations.

Core Router: This device sends information within networks but not between multiple networks. It is a high-performance router that can send heavy data packets. Both wired and wireless core routers are available to you.

Virtual Router: This is a software-based router. This is not a physical piece of equipment or a networking device. The performance level of a virtual router is the same as a physical piece of device.

VPN Router: It has a VPN installed inside, and you can use it in your home or small office. Powered by Firmware, such a router allows the management of VPN connections and permits different gadgets or devices in your home or small office to connect to the VPN services. It has RAM.

Download PDF What Are the Different Types of Routers?

What Do Routers Do?

A router is a very intelligent device. It performs multiple tasks. A router does the following things:

• Run the network.

• Connect computers and other devices like a printer.

• Enable computers and different devices to communicate with each other.

• Smartly analyze information, the nature of information, and data packets sent over networks.

• If need be, change how information is packaged and then send it to another network.

How Do Businesses Use Routers?

This device helps your business in different ways. Following are the ways by which a business establishment might use a router:

• Connecting your business to others.

• Protecting business data.

• Protecting information from security threats.

• Increasing the optimum utilization of the workforce.

• Cutting the operational costs.

• Customizing service.

In Conclusion

Today's internet-based business operation cannot be imagined without routers. This device executes a large number of corporate jobs. Networking is not possible without the use of routers.

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