What exactly is a router?

[lisati]

I dont even know why modems are in the discussion...LOL

Exactly. Perhaps it arose because the devices provided by some ISPs have both router and modem functionality built in.

[offgridguy]

Can't speak for OP, but does this mean a wifi card is in essence a router?

[haqking]

Exactly. Perhaps it arose because the devices provided by some ISPs have both router and modem functionality built in.

no it was from post #2

For local area network (LAN) two devices are maimly required they are Modem and Router.

Which is of course wrong, as a modem is not needed on a LAN.

It kind of complicated the whole definiton of a router.

[haqking]

Can't speak for OP, but does this mean a wifi card is in essence a router?

no it isnt, it is a wireless card enabling a computer to connect to a wireless access point which may also be a router.

A router is explained above, and in no way resembles a wireless card.

[offgridguy]

no it isnt, it is a wireless card enabling a computer to connect to a wireless access point which may also be a router.

A router is explained above, and in no way resembles a wireless card.

Thank you

[offgridguy]

It kind of complicated the whole definiton of a router.

Agreed

[sgage]

Can't speak for OP, but does this mean a wifi card is in essence a router?

No, a wifi card is hardware, that lets you take advantage of a nearby router that offers wifi connectivity.

Though there is probably a way, with the right software, to make the computer containing the wifi card a router.

[lisati]

The OP appears not to have been back to this thread for a few hours. A summary might be in order.

• A router is a device that supervises and controls traffic on your network. Its role is similar to to a telephone exchange, which manages connections between telephones. The router manages communications between computers.
• A modem is a device that allows you to transmit digital data across a medium, such as a phone line, that is better suited to analogue data. You don't normally need one to connect to your Local Area Network (LAN)
• A Network Interface Card (sometimes referred to as an NIC) is a device that lets you physically connect to a network, usually through a router
• A WiFi card is a form of NIC that uses radio signals instead of a wire to access a router

In the interests of brevity, this summary is somewhat simplified.

[Thee]

But they all seem to refer to a "router" differently, some seem to refer to it as a device you connect all the computers to with one connection that goes to the Internet. Other docs refer to the Linux box as the "router".

The reason why there are 2 explanations what a router is, is because both the device that you can buy that acts as a router for all your computers to connect together over the network, and a PC that is configured and made specifically for the same purpose are both called routers.

So a router is a device (dedicated device or a dedicated PC) which is used to connect multiple PC's or devices that can interact with each other over the local network and also share the internet connection.

But of course, a dedicated device type of router is the most commonly used, most inexpensive and practical.

[eddier]

I allways explain a router as a sound mixer in reverse,instead of mixing signals from several devices into one output,you have one input and several outputs. Except they are bidirectional !
If you only have one PC then you wont need a Router. Unless your into carpentry-but thats a different route.

eddie