Introduction

A Communications Router

A router is a device that connects distinct parts of a network. In the OSI Reference Model, a router is considered a Network Layer device, meaning a router executes peer-to-peer communications with other devices at all layers up to the Network Layer. A router operates at a higher protocol layer than a repeater, which is a Physical Layer device, or a bridge, which is a Data Link Layer device. A router connects network segments that may communicate using different Data Link Layer protocols but the same Network Layer protocol. Routers forward packets from one medium to another if doing so moves the packet closer to its destination.