Difference between revisions of "Router"
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| − | '''Routers''' (in current terminology) are the [[packet switch]]es that form the lowest layer of [[internetwork]] networking infrastructure (along with the [[physical network]]s that connect them). | + | '''Routers''' (in current terminology) are the [[packet switch]]es that form the lowest layer of an [[internetwork]] networking infrastructure (along with the [[physical network]]s that connect them). |
Originally they were called '''gateways''', but this name was eventually superseded, because it was used for a variety of kinds of devices, potentially causing confusion. | Originally they were called '''gateways''', but this name was eventually superseded, because it was used for a variety of kinds of devices, potentially causing confusion. | ||
| − | Routers operate at the [[internetworking layer]], the [[protocol]] which offers direct [[datagram]] carriage across the entire network | + | Routers operate at the [[internetworking layer]], the [[protocol]] which offers direct [[datagram]] carriage across the entire network. In the [[TCP/IP]] [[protocol suite]] (the protocol family of the [[Internet]]), that protocol is the [[Internet Protocol]]. |
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| − | In the [[TCP/IP]] [[protocol suite]] (the protocol family of the [[Internet]]), that protocol is the [[Internet Protocol]]. | ||
Routers usually implement a variety of other protocols as well, for [[operation and maintenance]] purposes, such as the somewhat confusing named [[routing protocol]]s, which are used for [[path selection]]. | Routers usually implement a variety of other protocols as well, for [[operation and maintenance]] purposes, such as the somewhat confusing named [[routing protocol]]s, which are used for [[path selection]]. | ||
[[Category: Networking]] | [[Category: Networking]] | ||
Revision as of 22:44, 13 June 2018
Routers (in current terminology) are the packet switches that form the lowest layer of an internetwork networking infrastructure (along with the physical networks that connect them).
Originally they were called gateways, but this name was eventually superseded, because it was used for a variety of kinds of devices, potentially causing confusion.
Routers operate at the internetworking layer, the protocol which offers direct datagram carriage across the entire network. In the TCP/IP protocol suite (the protocol family of the Internet), that protocol is the Internet Protocol.
Routers usually implement a variety of other protocols as well, for operation and maintenance purposes, such as the somewhat confusing named routing protocols, which are used for path selection.
