How does a router work? Easily explained
Related Videos: How Routers Work and Basic Setup (April 2024).
When technology experts talk about the Internet, there are often numerous technical terms - including the term router. We'll show you what it is and how a router works.
What is a router and how does it work?
A router is a device that forwards or distributes received data to other devices. There are several types of routers, but often a DSL or WLAN router is meant.
- The router is a fairly small piece of hardware, which you usually get from your Internet provider for the ordered Internet connection. This enables you to access the Internet. If you connect the router to the DSL connection, you have the option of activating your Internet access with the password from your provider.
- The router can now pass on the Internet signal to other computers via a LAN cable, or share the signal with other computers or smartphones via WLAN.
- The router also establishes a local network so that you can transfer files between two computers. You can also access your local network from the other end of the world through a VPN connection.
How does a router work?
- The router mediates between the individual computers or smartphones and the Internet. For example, if you want to go to the CHIP.de website, your browser will forward this request to the router.
- The router sends the request across the Internet. If the answer comes, the router sends the required data to the computer. This mediation usually takes less than a second, depending on your internet speed, so you don't notice this process at all.
- A computer is not really visible to the Internet. The router controls all traffic so that the computer remains largely protected. Similar to the firewall in the computer, the router can also block out some dangers in advance.
- By the way: A router hardly slows down the Internet connection. The much bigger bottleneck here is the actual DSL speed. Here you can often find a faster connection at a cheaper price with a change of contract if you compare the prices a little. Our CHIP tariff comparison will help you here. Simply enter your area code and the desired speed, and our search will find the cheapest price.
WLAN router in the test
1
AVM Fritz! Box 7590
final grade
1.3
Very good
Review
- Equipment (1, 0)
- Functionality (1, 1)
- Performance (2.1)
- Handling (1, 2)
price
from € 190.71
price estimate
Acceptable (3.2)
price comparison
price comparison
TO THE SHOP
(Mind Factory)
TO THE SHOP
(Mind Factory)
2
AVM Fritz! Box 7580
final grade
1.5
Very good
Review
- Equipment (1, 1)
- Functionality (1, 1)
- Performance (2.6)
- Handling (1, 2)
price
from € 209.99
price estimate
Expensive (3.6)
price comparison
price comparison
TO THE SHOP
(Amazon)
TO THE SHOP
(Amazon)
3
Asus DSL-AC88U-B
final grade
1.5
Very good
Review
- Equipment (1.6)
- Functionality (1.4)
- Performance (1.5)
- Handling (1.5)
price
from € 248.90
price estimate
Expensive (4.0)
price comparison
price comparison
TO THE SHOP
(Computer Universe)
TO THE SHOP
(Computer Universe)
4
Asus ROG Rapture GT-AC2900
final grade
1.5
Very good
- Equipment (2.1)
- Functionality (1, 3)
- Performance (1.3)
- Handling (1.5)
price
from € 229.00
price estimate
Expensive (3.8)
price comparison
price comparison
$config[ads_text5] not foundTO THE SHOP
(Notebook cheaply)
TO THE SHOP
(Notebook cheaply)
5
TP-Link Archer VR2800v
final grade
1.5
Very good
Review
- Equipment (1.5)
- Functionality (1, 1)
- Performance (2.1)
- Handling (1.5)
price
from € 167.59
price estimate
Acceptable (3.3)
price comparison
price comparison
TO THE SHOP
(Rakuten)
TO THE SHOP
(Rakuten)
To the complete leaderboard
In the next practical tip, we will show you how to access your router's web interface to configure it. We have also tested the best WiFi routers for you and put them together for you in our best list.
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