Routers (Computer networks)

A router is a computer and networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks, including internetworks such as the global Internet. Routers perform the traffic directing functions on the Internet. A router is connected to two or more data lines from different IP networks. When a data packet arrives on a line, the router reads the network address in the packet header to determine the ultimate destination. Then, using information in its routing table or routing policy, it directs the packet to the next network on its journey. A data packet is forwarded from one router to another through an internetwork until it reaches its destination node. The most familiar type of IP routers are home and small office routers that forward IP packets between the home computers and the Internet. More sophisticated routers, such as enterprise routers, connect large business or ISP networks to powerful core routers that forward data at high speed along the optical fiber lines of the Internet backbone. Routers can be built from standard computer parts but are mostly specialized purpose-built computers (embedded systems). Early routers used software-based forwarding, running on a CPU. More sophisticated devices use application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) to increase performance or add advanced filtering and firewall functionality.