Routers

Routers are devices which, like switches, direct data to their intended destination. However routers serve an additional function of choosing the best route for the packet of data to take. Its decision is based on its current understanding of the networks. A router works for networks outside the local network it has knowledge of other networks and the connections between them. A router maintains a table of the available routes and their conditions. It uses this table together with distance and cost algorithms to determine the best route for a given data packet. Data packets often travel through a number of networks and routers before arriving at their destination.