By There are 4.66 billion active Internet users around the world, totaling nearly 60% of the global population! And this number only continues to grow each year.
Often, we use routers to connect our devices to the Internet. Have you ever restarted your Internet because the speed was too slow? Well, you restarted your router!
But not all routers are the same. How so? Keep reading to learn all about the different types of routers.
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What Is a Router?
Routers connect computers and other devices together, allowing them to communicate. They keep networks up and running.
Routers are the gateways of networks, similar to traffic police. They keep data flowing efficiently between networks connected to the Internet. Routers analyze the data users send over networks, change how it’s packaged, and send it to another network or over a different type of network.
There are five main router types available on the market. Let’s check them out.
Wired and Wireless Routers
Wired routers connect directly to computers through wired connections using cables. They create wired local area networks (LANs).
Conversely, wireless routers content to a modem through a cable for receiving Internet data. They use antennas to create wireless local area networks (WLANs). You may know this better as Wi-Fi.
Homes and small offices typically use wired or wireless routers.
Core Router
A core router can be wireless or wired. It distributes Internet data within a network. It doesn’t function between multiple networks. Experts designed core routers to be the backbone of your network.
They do all the heavy lifting of data transfer. Thus, core routers are high performance.
Edge Router
An edge router is the opposite of a core router. It broadcasts Internet data between one or more networks, but not within a network. You place them at the edge of boundary networks and usually connect them to Internet service providers (ISPs) or other organizations’ networks.
Edge routers keep your network communications smooth with other networks.
It too can be wireless or wired.
Virtual Router
Virtual routers are software. They allow computers and servers to function as routers. Virtual routers share data like physical routers, but they are easier to scale for growing businesses.
Virtual routers are becoming more popular with the growing trend of remote offices.
Router Tips
As with any electronic device, there are vast differences between the thousands of different routers to choose from. Popular router company providers like Asus, Cisco, Cradlepoint, Google, Netgear, and TP-Link all manufacture and sell many different routers.
Of course, they differ in their type, whether wireless, wired, etc. But they also differ in their capacity, speed, and price. It’s a good idea to consult a router buying guide to get a better idea of which router is best for you before making a purchase.
Now You Know the Different Types of Routers
There you have it! That was our quick router guide to learn about the five different types of routers. Whether you’re a tech lover or in need of a new router, you have a little more information than you did before.
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