Router (Cambridge International IGCSE Computer Science)

Router

Spec point — 3.4.4 · 4 Describe the role of a router in a network

What is a router?

• The router is responsible for routing data packets between different networks
• An example of data the router can direct is, sending internet traffic to the correct destination/devices in your home network
• The router connects networks together, local area networks (LAN) to the wider internet which is a type of wide area network (WAN)
• The router can manage and prioritise data traffic, which can help to keep connections stable
• The router will assign IP addresses to the devices on the network

Image of a router

Image of how a router connects LANs to other networks

Worked Example State 3 tasks carried out by a router [3]

To answer the question you must simply identify 3 tasks a router does

1 mark each to max 3 e.g.

• Send and Receive packets of data
• Connect a local network to the internet
• Assign IP addresses to nodes/devices
• Converts packets from one protocol to another