ROUTERS

Router breaks both Collision domain as well as broadcast domain

A router translates information from one network to another;

Routers select the best path to route a message  ,based on the destination address and sources address. The router can direct traffic to prevent head on collision, and is smart enough to know when to direct  traffic  along back roads and shortcuts.

While switches know the addresses of all computer on each side of the network  ,routers understand the addresses of computers ,switches  and other routers on the network .Routers can even “listen” to the entire network to determine which section are busiest –they can then redirect data around those section until they clear up .

If you have a LAN that you want to connect to the internet  , you will need to purchase a router. In this case ,the router serves as the link between the information on your LAN and the Internet .It also determines the best route to send the data over the internet .Routers can:

•  Direct signal traffic efficiently
•  Route data between ant two protocols
• Route data between linear bus ,star ,and star-wired ring topologies
• Route data across fiber optic ,coaxial ,and twisted-pair cabling