How router works | what is router? full Explanation | Computer Networking

Summary

This video explains the critical role of routers in networking, distinguishing them from hubs and switches. It highlights how routers connect different networks and direct data traffic based on IP addresses, acting as gateways to the internet. The video also covers essential functions such as Network Address Translation (NAT) and Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). Using a practical example, it illustrates how data packets travel between networks. Finally, it relates the functions of routers, switches, and hubs to the OSI model, providing viewers with a comprehensive understanding of networking fundamentals.

Takeaways

• 😀 A router connects multiple networks and directs data between them based on IP addresses.
• 🌐 Routers act as gateways, allowing communication between local area networks (LANs) and the internet.
• 📦 Routers perform routing functions to find the best path for data packets to reach their destination.
• 🔄 If a data packet belongs to the local network, the router will send it back; otherwise, it forwards it to the appropriate network.
• 🔄 Modern routers support Network Address Translation (NAT), enabling multiple devices to share a single public IP address.
• 📡 Routers also provide IP addresses to devices via DHCP, automating the IP assignment process.
• 🖥️ The OSI model explains how different networking devices operate at various layers, with routers functioning at Layer 3 (Network Layer).
• 💻 Hubs operate at Layer 1 (Physical Layer), while switches work at Layer 2 (Data Link Layer), utilizing MAC addresses for data transmission.
• 📈 The internet is a vast network of routers that communicate with each other to transmit data packets across different networks.
• 🛠️ Understanding the OSI model helps clarify how data travels over the internet and the specific roles of different devices.

Q & A

What is the primary function of a router?

The primary function of a router is to route or forward data from one network to another based on IP addresses.

How does a router differ from a hub and a switch?

A hub operates at the physical layer by transmitting raw bits, while a switch operates at the data link layer using MAC addresses. A router operates at the network layer, utilizing IP addresses to connect different networks.

What are the two basic functions of a router?

The two basic functions of a router are connecting at least two different networks and providing the best path for accessing another network or requested content on the internet.

What is Network Address Translation (NAT)?

Network Address Translation (NAT) is a function of modern routers that allows multiple devices on a local network to share a single public IP address.

What role does DHCP play in router functionality?

Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) enables routers to automatically assign IP addresses to devices in a network, eliminating the need for manual IP address configuration.

What happens when a data packet is sent from a local network to the internet?

When a data packet is sent from a local network, it first travels to a switch and then to the router, which checks the destination IP address and forwards the packet to the appropriate network if it does not belong to the same local network.

How does a router handle incoming data packets?

A router checks the IP address of incoming data packets. If the address matches its own network, it accepts the packet; otherwise, it rejects it.

Can you explain the routing process when communicating between different networks?

When a device in one network wants to communicate with a device in another, the data packet travels through various routers on the internet, each forwarding it based on the destination IP address until it reaches the destination network.

What is the OSI model, and which layer do routers operate on?

The OSI model is a framework that standardizes the functions of a networking system into seven layers. Routers operate at the network layer, which is Layer 3 of the OSI model.

Why is a router referred to as the 'gateway' of the network?

A router is called the 'gateway' of the network because it serves as the entry and exit point for data traveling between different networks and the internet.