| Router is a computer device that receives or | | | | could also be considered as a router. In this, the |
| forwards data packets to and from the Internet | | | | computer would do the process of routing like |
| towards a destination in the process called routing. | | | | normal routers do. Other computers are then |
| Router is the essential component of the | | | | connected to the computer with Internet |
| computer networking that enables any sent data | | | | connection that would give it with the Internet |
| to arrive at the right destination. | | | | connection. The computer with cable modem has |
| As an illustration, imagine that the Internet is the | | | | the direct contact with the Internet and the ones |
| world and one computer is one household. Other | | | | connected to it are sharing the connection. |
| computers connected through the Internet are | | | | Why would anyone need a router? |
| households around the world. Say one household | | | | For households with two or more computers who |
| will send a letter to another household in any part | | | | would want to have Internet connection to every |
| of the world. The letter has an address right? And | | | | computers they have, taking subscription for each |
| that address would determine the destination of | | | | would be too much. The solution is to buy a |
| the letter. But without one reading the address, | | | | router that would enable every computer in the |
| the letter would not arrive to the right receiver. | | | | house to have an Internet connection. In the |
| The letter also would not be able to reach the | | | | definition above, the broadband router would act |
| intended receiver if there is not medium. This | | | | as a hub to the existing Internet connection. |
| medium would be the courier. And the courier of | | | | If the router is comparable to a hub, would it |
| the computer data is the router. | | | | affect the Internet speed? |
| A router (broadband router) is also a device that | | | | It should be taken into consideration that once a |
| enables two or more computer to receive data | | | | single Internet connection is divided, the |
| packets from the Internet under one IP address | | | | connection speed is affected. But there are some |
| at the same time. | | | | broadband routers that would bring minimal |
| Remember that to be able to connect to the | | | | slowdown to the Internet speed and the effect |
| Internet, a computer must have an IP address | | | | might not even be big. |
| unique from the rest of the computers. | | | | Internet speed would also depend on the type of |
| Therefore, every computer connected to the | | | | application used in a router. While some would |
| Internet has it own IP address. It is like having a | | | | inflict little effect on the speed like online games, |
| fingerprint or ID as an access pass to be able to | | | | others would terribly slowdown your connection |
| enter the web. With the presence of the router, | | | | and even hinder you to use the Internet at all. |
| this "fingerprint" or "ID" could be shared by two or | | | | Usually, offices use a more sophisticated router to |
| more computer at the same time. | | | | redirect Internet connections to the large number |
| In simplest form, a router makes two or more | | | | of computers. These routers would give better |
| computer use the Internet at the same with one | | | | data packeting compared to a typical router used |
| access pass. | | | | at home that results to faster Internet speed. |
| One more thing: a computer with cable modem | | | | |