What is a Broadband Router ?

A broadband router is a basic device to set up a wired or wireless network.
Broadband routers ensure that all the computers on a network can send and
receive data to each other and across the Internet. These routers are of
both wired and wireless but their features are very similar.

A router actually transfers data packets along networks. It requires at
least two networks for a router to connect, commonly it connects two LANs or
WANs or a LAN and its ISP's network. As a connecter device, routers are
positioned at gateways, where two or more networks are connected.

Key Role of Broadband Routers

Routers enable sharing your broadband internet among computers or laptops in
your office or home network. It directs data to travel along the computers
on your network and out over the internet to distant computers and to
networks located elsewhere.

Routers are first to face any possible outside viruses, hacking threats and
so they are vital in a network. But most internet user may not know this,
practiced using anti-virus softwares only. A router safeguards your network
by working as a filter between the outside internet world and your
computers. In general, broadband modems don't usually have sophisticated
built-in security features, so having a network without a router can leave
the door open to hackers and other online threatens. Using a router with an
in-built firewall makes your wired or wireless network safer and secure,
without being vulnerable for internet threats.

Broadband Router Categories

If broadband is classified into two types in major then the routers also has
to be of two types. ADSL modem routers for ADSL broadband users and cable
routers for cable broadband users are that two.

Both type of broadband router perform the same function of being an
interface between your network and the internet and enabling you to share
your internet connection among other computers. The main dissimilarity
between these two broadband routers is the way in which they connect to the
internet.

Actually, ADSL broadband is accomplished by upgrading your existing
telephone line for high-speed internet services. Here ADSL modem routers
work by just plugging directly into the upgraded telephone line and thus
avoids the need of a separate modem. Once connected, the ADSL modem router
is automatically able to share the broadband internet with all the computers
in your network.

Cable broadband users connect to the internet via cable modem that is
plugged into the cable socket. Cable routers work by plugging it into the
provided cable modem's in-built networking port. This is also known as
Ethernet port or RJ-45 connection and you need this to share your cable
internet with in your network. Once connected to the modem, which in turn is
connected to the cable socket, the cable router shares the broadband
internet with all the computers in your network.

About The Author: You can compare broadband suppliers using
http://www.broadbandsuppliers.co.uk and for list of internet provider visit
http://www.broadbandsuppliers.co.uk/broadband-internet-provider.html.
Use, http://www.broadbandsuppliers.co.uk/broadband-modems-routers.html
for purchasing a broadband router.

Please use the HTML version of this article at:
http://www.isnare.com/html.php?aid=105659