There are several types of routers you may hear of: wired router, wireless router.

More detailed classification: Internal router (IR): All interfaces belong to the same area; Area Border router (ABR): Interfaces to multiple areas; Backbone router (BR): Interfaces to backbone; Autonomous system boundary router (ASBR): Exchange routing info with other autonomous systems; Designated router (DR): Generates link-state info about the subnet; Backup designated router (BDR): Becomes DR if DR fails.

If you use computers in your home or office, it is likely that your computer is connected with other computers through some type of router. Like a police officer directing traffic at an interchange, a router will direct or route information, data and files to the locations they need to go. Generally, Routers that we used can either be wired or wireless.

A wired router will generally connect to your computer and computers or hardware through an Ethernet cable. This happens with the use of output ports. And the only input port provided on a router will be used for the Internet.

A wireless router may allow access from several computers through wired Ethernet cables and through wireless connections. You will know the router you are using is wireless if it comes with an antenna. The antenna will provide the router with a specific range that allows other computers in the area with wireless capabilities to access the router, provided they have password access.

Two Typical Routers We Usually Used

Commercial Router

If you have ever been to a coffee shop or hotel that offers Wi-Fi access, chances are they are using a commercial-grade router. These routers are much more powerful than what you would purchase at your local electronics or computer store. The best commercial routers will be able to provide access to the Internet, files and printing, for example, with little problem. Commercial routers may also be used by businesses, hospitals or in a university setting as part of a wide area network or WAN. (Cisco is a leading router manufacturer to aim to provide router and networking solution to small, medium and large enterprises) This is a network that allows computers to connect to each other even if they are in another building across town. The commercial-grade router will be used to connect with the wide area network (WAN) on one side and a smaller network called a local area network (LAN) on the other. The local area network may consist of one large office within a building. In that case, you could have multiple LANs connecting to the WAN through one or multiple routers.

Consumer Routers

If you are looking for a router for your home or small business, you likely can find what you need at your local electronics store. Generally you will want a router that serves as a wireless access point (WAP). It should also be a network switch. The wireless access point (WAP) basically provides the wireless access that everyone wants. That wireless access can be both to the Internet and to other computers in the home or office. Routers that come with a network switch tend to be faster and provide more evenly distributed bandwidth to each port. Consumer routers will come in a variety of price ranges and strengths. Some of the lower priced consumer routers will not have a very strong firewall. (Cisco Linksys E-series routers, powerful home routers, are welcomed by a lot of Cisco fans, more info of Cisco’ home product store you can visit Cisco’s official site: cisco.com).