Over at my day job, I write a series of articles for a local newspaper where I once lived, which basically caters to first time computer users  which we fondly  call ‘newbies’. We usually just take for granted sometimes that some of the terms that we use such as the term ‘router’ is basically understood by everyone. But I received an email this morning from one of the readers who stated:

Hi Ron,

I read your article in the paper last week talking about the Internet and the use of a router. I have a DSL connection and the person who set it up for me also setup a router. I have been using the router for well over a year but do not have a clue what it does. Can you help?

No Problem. Here is the definition of a router:

In packet-switched networks such as the Internet, a router is a device or, in some cases, software in a computer, that determines the next network point to which a packet should be forwarded toward its destination. The router is connected to at least two networks and decides which way to send each information packet based on its current understanding of the state of the networks it is connected to. A router is located at any gateway (where one network meets another), including each point-of-presence on the Internet. A router is often included as part of a network switch.

Which is fairly easy to understand. Or how about this instead:

A router directs Internet traffic to and from your computer and the Internet. A router also acts as a protected wall [firewall] that prohibits those on the Internet from seeing your computer connection.  This is important so that the bad guys can not steal information from your computer.

How would you describe what a router does in the simplest way possible if someone asked you the same question?

Comments welcome.
[tags]router, information, protection, firewall, computer, [/tags]