Router

A network device that forwards packets from one network to another. Based on internal routing tables, routers read each incoming packet and decide how to forward it. To which interface on the router outgoing packets are sent may be determined by any combination of source and destination address as well as current traffic conditions (load, line costs, bad lines, etc.). In Between and at the Edge Routers are used to separate local area networks (LANs) into subnetworks in order to balance traffic within workgroups and to filter traffic for security purposes and policy management. Routers are also used at the edge of the network to connect to remote offices or to an ISP for Internet access. Routers in the Core Within a large enterprise, routers serve as an internet (lower case "i") backbone that connects all internal networks, in which case they are typically connected via Ethernet. Within the global Internet (upper case "I"), routers do all the packet switching between the backbones and are typically connected via T3, ATM or SONET links. Routable Protocols Routers route messages transmitted only by a routable protocol such as IP "or" IPX. Multiprotocol routers support more than one; for example, IP "and" IPX. Messages in non-routable protocols, such as NetBIOS and LAT, cannot be routed, but they can be transferred from LAN to LAN via a bridge. Because routers have to inspect the network address in the packet, they do more processing and add more overhead than a bridge or switch. Routers work at the network layer (layer 3) of the protocol, whereas bridges and switches work at the data link layer (layer 2), also known as the "MAC layer." Specialized Machines or Regular PCs Most routers are specialized computers optimized for communications; however, router functions can also be implemented by adding software to a server. For example, the NetWare operating system includes software to route packets from one subnetwork to another if each is connected to a separate network adapter (NIC). The major router vendors are Cisco Systems and Nortel Networks. Router Terminology Routers used to be called "gateways." In older Novell terminology, they were also called "network-layer bridges." For more details on the routable protocol layer (network layer 3),

Cisco Router Series

Cisco 800 Series Cisco 1600 Series Cisco 1700 Series Cisco 2500 Series Cisco 2600 Series Cisco 3600 Series Cisco 3700 Series Cisco 6400 Series Cisco 7200 Series Cisco 7300 Series Cisco 7400 Series Cisco 7500 Series Cisco 7600 Series Cisco 10000 Series Cisco 12000 Series

Very Important Router Parts

1. ROM - Read Only Memory. This is a form of permanent memory used by the Router to store: o The "Power-On Self Test" that checks the Router on boot up. o The "Bootstrap Startup Program" that gets the Router going. o A very basic form of the Cisco IOS software. (to change the ROM you have to remove and replace chips) 2. Flash Memory An Electronically Erasable and Re-Programmable memory chip. The "Flash" contains the full Operating System, or "Image".

This allows you to Upgrade the OS without removing chips. 3. NVRAM - Non-Volatile RAM This stores your Router's "Startup Configuration File". Similar to Flash memory, this retains data even when power is lost.

4. RAM - Random Access Memory This is regular computer memory chips. These are the working memory of the Router, and provide Caching, Packet Buffering, and hold Routing Tables. The RAM is also where the Running Operating System lives when the Router is on. RAM loses all its data when reset or powered off.

5. Interfaces - Where the Router meets the Outside World. Basically your Router will have Serial interfaces, Which are mostly used to connect long-distance as in a WAN (Wide-Area Network). You will also have LAN (Local-Area Network) Interfaces, such as Ethernet, Token Ring, and FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface)