Network Devices-Routers

Routers are small physical devices that join multiple networks together. Technically, a router is a Layer 3 gateway device, meaning that it connects two or more networks and that the router operates at the network layer of the OSI model.Routers take information that arrives through your broadband signal via a modem, decipher it, and deliver it to your computer. The router will also choose the best route for the data packet so that you receive the information quickly.Many different types of routers have been developed so that the information coming over your broadband connection can be sent to a variety of different receivers including your computer, your phone, and others.

Types of routers

 There are several types of routers in the market.

 Broadband Routers

 Broadband routers can do different types of things. Broadband routers can be used to connect computers
or to connect to the Internet. If you connect to the internet through phone and using Voice over IP technology (VOIP) then you need broadband router. These are often a special type of modem (ADSL) that will have both Ethernet and phone jacks.

Wireless Routers

Wireless routers connect to your modem and create a wireless signal in your home or office. So, any computer within range can connect to your wireless router and use your broadband Internet for free. The only way to keep anyone from connecting to your system is to secure your router.A word of warning about wireless routers: Be sure your secure them, or you will be susceptible to hackers and identity thieves.
In order to secure your Wireless routers, you simply need to come secure it with password or get your IP address. Then, you'll log on into your router with the user ID and passwords will that come with your router.

Other Types of Router

Edge Router
This type of router are placed at the edge of the ISP network, the are normally configured to external
protocol like BGP (Border gateway protocol) to another BGP of other ISP or large organisation.

Subscriber Edge Router
This type of router belongs to an end user (enterprise) organization. It’s configured to  broadcast external BGP to it’s provider’s AS(s)

 Inter-provider Border Router
This type of router is  for Interconnecting ISPs, this is a BGP speaking router that maintains BGP sessions with other BGP speaking routers in other providers' ASes.

 Core Router
A router that resides within the middle or backbone of the LAN network rather than at its periphery. In some instances , a core router provides a stepdown backbone , interconnecting the distribution routers from multiple building of a campus ( LAN), or Large enterprise Location (WAN). They tend to be optimized for a high brandwidth.

A true multiservice core requires a reliable, high-performance, and flexible backbone architecture that can carry a wide breadth of revenue-generating services. This enables operators to deliver stringent service-level agreements (SLAs) while minimizing both capital and operational expenditures.