Router Solution

Router

A router is a physical network device that facilitates and establishes a connection between a local network and the Internet by passing information to and from packet switching networks . Performs this function by analyzing the header of a data packet that contains the destination IP address of the packet.  Based on the data packet, the router determines the most efficient route to the destination address. Simply put, a router routes information between connected networks router solution. 

Functionality

Physically, a router is connected to the modem and other devices. The router establishes a private network upon receiving Internet data from the modem, which is provided with a connection via cable, DSL, or other wired connections from an Internet service provider. Routers have several ports from which connections can be made to devices to distribute the Internet connection. By mediating the connection between modems and devices on a local network, the router facilitates communication with the Internet and within the network. The router provides network-level connections of a system and, therefore, operates on the third layer of the OSI model.

This device also acts as a dynamic host configuration protocol ( DHCP ) by distributing private IP addresses to devices connected within the network.  Home or office routers have a private or local address that is taken from a reserved range of IP addresses. Devices within the network can have a private IP address identical to that of a neighbor's house devices. This is not a problem, since the devices are connected separately to different routers with a specific public IP address. Therefore, a private IP address only works so that a router can identify a device.

Routers rely on a routing table to identify where a packet of data should be sent. The routing tables contain information about the destination, the next hop, the interface, the metrics and the routes, which can be used to guide the data packet through the communication lines and to its destination. 

1. Destination - The data packets contain a header that contains the IP address of their final destination. This information is vital as it indicates where a package should be delivered.
2. Next hop - Based on the destination IP address in the data packet header, the next hop refers to where the data must be forwarded to reach its destination.
3. Interface - Refers to the type of network interface that must be implemented to send the data packet to its next destination.
4. Metric - Refers to the efficiency of possible routes for the data packet. This is calculated to assign the data package to the most efficient and cost effective line.
5. Routes - Refers to the lines through which data can travel to reach the destination address.

There are 2 methods by which routing tables are maintained and kept in order. This can be done dynamically or statically. The static method involves manually updating the routing tables. On the other hand, dynamic routers automatically exchange information with devices through different routing protocols. Based on that information, the routing tables are updated automatically. The dynamic roadmap is also called adaptive roadmap.