What is a router?

One of our assignments this week was to listen to a podcast from How Stuff Works, Tech Stuff called What is a router?  It took me a while to find it.  I was looking on the How stuff works website but I ended up finding it in itunes.  It was a bit long (35min) but interesting.  I will definitely subscribe to this podcast.

Here are some bullet points of things I learned:

• Transfer of information between different layers.  7 layers of communication proposed by Honeywell: Layer 1 - a single device. Layer 2 - communication between devices, home networks don’t need routers to communicate with each other but switches - still layer 2. Layer 3 - A router is needed to get to other networks (ie. internet).
• A routing table - a guide to where packets need to go on the fastest route, not necessarily the shortest. 
• Protocols - languages that routing tables use to talk to each other. 
• Router can calculate “cost” of routing a packet = hops.  Packets can be sent to destination several times but the least number of hops will make it and the other redundant packets will be discarded. 
• Gamers would want to use wired connections because they are more reliable than wireless routers.
• N protocol tends to be best.
• Make sure devices are N compatible.
• Also look at ISP service.  The router won’t make a difference if you don’t have a broadband connection or if your ISP caps data.
• DOS - denial of service attack - someone will intentionally clog up your router.
• There is not a full proof security system but putting up a good firewall is important.