Routers

Routers
A router is a device that moves data between different network segments and can look into a packet header to determine the best path for the packet to travel.

Routers are even "smarter" than hubs and switches since they use a more complete packet "address" to determine which router or workstation should receive each packet next. Based on a network road map called a "routing table," routers help ensure that packets travel the most efficient paths to their destinations. If a link between two routers fails, the sending router can determine an alternate route to keep the traffic moving.

Routers also provide links between networks that use different protocols. Examples of protocols include Internet Protocol (IP), Internet Packet Exchange (IPX®) and AppleTalk. Routers not only connect networks in a single location or set of buildings, but they provide interfaces, "sockets", for connecting to wide-area network (WAN) services.