These devices are essential elements of any wired or wireless network. It is therefore essential to understand how to manage the traffic and how to set paths to follow.
As the Router enter in the OSI model
Although only a theoretical framework, the OSI model is a good way to see how all these protocols, addresses and network devices (such as just the router) complement one another.
The Layer 2 and 3 of the OSI model are those that apply in this case. The Layer 2 Data Link layer is where there exist the Ethernet protocol, the MAC addresses and switches. Layer 3, network layer, is where there exist the IP protocol, IP addresses and routers. Consider that all traffic is sent from your computer, starting from Layer 7 (application of your network) up to Layer 1 (physical layer). Through the physical layer, medium traffic flows on your network (whether wired or wireless to a network).
The traffic passes through a router only if it is not on your local LAN. Routers operate at Layer 3 but above all must interpret at least 1 to 3 layers. Many parsed routers each type of traffic up to layer 4 to 7 and in various ways, but to simplify the concept we consider that only operate at Layer 3. Read the rest of this entry »