What are Routers? - Business

Routers, as the name implies routes data traffic from one network to another. It can be better understood with the help of an example. Say you have a company with one office in New York and the other in San Francisco. Both offices have networks, which need to be able to talk to each other. When you install a router at each end of the lease line between these two offices, it acts as a filter. It ensures that only the data that is required to go between the two destinations is permitted and all other data is blocked. This enhances the speed of the connection and reduces any burden on its performance.

There are two types of routers, hardware and software ones. Both have applications in office use and deserve some attention.

Hardware RoutersHardware routers are a popular choice with most companies. They come in the form of small boxes in which their vendors have written certain routing software. All they do is to route data from between networks. Since they are extremely fast and very dependable, most entities prefer installing hardware routers even though they are pricier than their counterparts the software routers.

Software RoutersSoftware routers are contained within the network and work in an identical fashion as the hardware routers. If your business uses a Linux Server or NT Server, software routers can be installed within them. They are usually used as Internet gateways to facilitate connection to the Internet. Alternatively, they serve as firewalls to block unwanted data traffic to and from the server.

Choosing a Router for your BusinessWithin the two categories mentioned above, there are a host of products available for you to choose. Each of them varies in their functionalities, strength, speed and performance. In order to decide which router is best for you, it is wise to first determine your needs. If you are looking to set up your home office and just need to connect 2 to 3 devices, then you don't need anything sophisticated. Alternatively if you are planning to build a server for a number of computers at your office, you need to choose a product with a specific feature set. It is a good idea to read product reviews, from the customer as well as professional perspectives. This way you can form a comprehensive decision on what will work best for you.

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