router
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AI overview
A router is a device that connects different computer networks together, allowing them to communicate and share information. It matters because it enables devices on separate networks to exchange data, making it possible for computers, phones, and other devices to connect to each other and access shared resources.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Article
A router is a computer and networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks, including internetworks such as the global Internet.
Routers perform the traffic directing functions on the Internet. A router is connected to two or more data lines from different IP networks. When a data packet comes in on a line, the router reads the network address information in the packet header to determine the ultimate destination. Then, using information in its routing table or routing policy, it directs the packet to the next network on its journey. A data packet is forwarded from one router to another through an internetwork until it reaches its destination node.