Network Router

What is a network router?

A network router is a device that connects two or more packet-switched networks or subnetworks. It has two functions: managing traffic between these networks by forwarding data to IP address and allowing multiple devices to use the same internet connection. Totally router enables communication between different networks.

Routers ensure that your data reaches the right place. They’re essentially sophisticated traffic cops, standing at the intersections of data highways, ensuring that the packets of data are sent off in the right direction, securely, be it across a busy office network or the wider expanse of the internet.

What does a router network do?

In any modern business, when we engage with digital systems - sending an email, updating a cloud-based document, even using an internal messaging system - the data we're working with is sent and received in small chunks known as 'packets.' Each one of these packets has a specific destination and must be routed to this endpoint as quickly and efficiently as possible. In the sprawling landscape of digital connectivity, network routers guide these packets to their correct locations.

Routers are highly intelligent devices. They don't just blindly send data packets on their way, hoping they'll reach their destination. Instead, routers analyze the current network conditions and then calculate the most effective route for each packet. This is similar to a GPS system that not only knows your destination but can also analyze current traffic conditions to avoid gridlock and find the fastest route. Routers use complex algorithms to ensure your data gets where it needs to go in the quickest and most efficient way possible.

Think of a router as an air traffic controller and data packets as aircraft headed to different airports (or networks). Just as each plane has a unique destination and follows a unique route, each packet needs to be guided to its destination as efficiently as possible. In the same way that an air traffic controller ensures that planes reach their destinations without getting lost or suffering a major disruption along the way, a router helps direct data packets to their destination IP address.

In order to direct packets effectively, a router uses an internal routing table, a list of paths to various network destinations. The router reads a packet's header to determine where it is going, then consults the routing table to figure out the most efficient path to that destination. It then forwards the packet to the next network in the path.

What are types of network router?

There are several types of routers with different types designed to cater to specific needs, but most routers pass data between LAN and WAN.

A LAN is a group of connected devices restricted to a specific geographic area. A LAN usually requires a single router.

A WAN, by contrast, is a large network spread out over a vast geographic area. Large organizations and companies that operate in multiple locations across the country, for instance, will need separate LANs for each location, which then connect to the other LANs to form a WAN. Because a WAN is distributed over a large area, it often necessitates multiple routers and switches.

In order to connect a LAN to the Internet, a router first needs to communicate with a modem. There are two primary ways to do this:

• Wireless router: A wireless router uses an Ethernet cable to connect to a modem. It distributes data by converting packets from binary code into radio signals, then wirelessly broadcasts them using antennae. Wireless routers do not establish LANs; instead, they create WLANs (wireless local area networks), which connect multiple devices using wireless communication.
• Wired router: Like a wireless router, a wired router also uses an Ethernet cable to connect to a modem. It then uses separate cables to connect to one or more devices within the network, create a LAN, and link the devices within that network to the Internet.

In addition to wireless and wired routers for small LANs, there are many specialized types of routers that serve specific functions:

-Edge routers  

This is a wired or wireless router that distributes data packets between one or more networks but not within a network. As their name indicates, edge routers are placed at the edge or boundary of networks, and typically connect to Internet service providers (ISPs) or other organizations’ networks. Their job is to keep your network communicating smoothly with other networks.

-Core routers  

These wired or wireless routers distribute data packets within networks, but not between multiple networks. They’re designed to become the backbone of your network and do the heavy lifting of data transfer, which is why they’re usually high-performance.

-Virtual routers  

Unlike physical routers, virtual routers are pieces of software that allow computers and servers to operate like routers. They’ll share data packets just as physical routers do. They can offer more flexibility than physical devices since they can be scaled as the business grows; they can also help get remote offices up and running on your network more quickly.

What is the difference between a router and a modem?

Although some Internet service providers (ISPs) may combine a router and a modem within a single device, they are not the same. Each plays a different but equally important role in connecting networks to each other and to the Internet.

A router forms networks and manages the flow of data within and between those networks, while a modem connects those networks to the Internet. Modems forge a connection to the Internet by converting signals from an ISP into a digital signal that can be interpreted by any connected device. A single device may plug into a modem in order to connect to the Internet; alternately, a router can help distribute this signal to multiple devices within an established network, allowing all of them to connect to the Internet simultaneously.

Pay attention to this example: If Bob has a router, but no modem, he will be able to create a LAN and send data between the devices on that network. However, he will not be able to connect that network to the Internet. Alice, on the other hand, has a modem, but no router. She will be able to connect a single device to the Internet (for example, her work laptop), but cannot distribute that Internet connection to multiple devices (say, her laptop and her smartphone). Carol, meanwhile, has a router and a modem. Using both devices, she can form a LAN with her desktop computer, tablet, and smartphone and connect them all to the Internet at the same time.

What are some of the security challenges associated with routers?

Vulnerability exploits: All hardware-based routers come with automatically installed software known as firmware that helps the router perform its functions. Like any other piece of software, router firmware often contains vulnerabilities that cyber attackers can exploit (one example), and router vendors periodically issue updates to patch these vulnerabilities. For this reason, router firmware needs to be updated regularly. Unpatched routers can be compromised by attackers, enabling them to monitor traffic or use the router as part of a botnet.

DDoS attacks: Small and large organizations often are the targets of distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks directed at their network infrastructure. Unmitigated network layer DDoS attacks can overwhelm routers or cause them to crash, resulting in network downtime. Cloudflare Magic Transit is one solution for protecting routers and networks from these kinds of DDoS attacks.

Administrative credentials: All routers come with a set of admin credentials for performing administrative functions. These credentials are set to default values, such as "admin" as the username and "admin" as the password. The username and password should be reset to something more secure as soon as possible: attackers are aware of the common default values for these credentials and can use them to gain control of the router remotely if they are not reset.

Conclusion:

Network routers, while not always visible, are powerhouses that maintain and facilitate our corporate connectivity. Directing traffic and ensuring the smooth operation of our daily tasks, they work behind the scenes to keep businesses running seamlessly. They also act as a key layer of security.