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A broadband router is a basic device to set up a wired or wireless network. Broadband routers ensure that all the computers on a network can send and receive data to each other and across the Internet. These routers are of both wired and wireless but their features are very similar.

A router actually transfers data packets along networks. It requires at least two networks for a router to connect, commonly it connects two LANs or WANs or a LAN and its ISP's network. As a connecter device, routers are positioned at gateways, where two or more networks are connected.

Key Role of Broadband Routers

Routers enable sharing your broadband internet among computers or laptops in your office or home network. It directs data to travel along the computers on your network and out over the internet to distant computers and to networks located elsewhere.

Routers are first to face any possible outside viruses, hacking threats and so they are vital in a network. But most internet user may not know this, practiced using anti-virus softwares only. A router safeguards your network by working as a filter between the outside internet world and your computers. In general, broadband modems don't usually have sophisticated built-in security features, so having a network without a router can leave the door open to hackers and other online threatens. Using a router with an in-built firewall makes your wired or wireless network safer and secure, without being vulnerable for internet threats.

Broadband Router Categories

If broadband is classified into two types in major then the routers also has to be of two types. ADSL modem routers for ADSL broadband users and cable routers for cable broadband users are that two.

Both type of broadband router perform the same function of being an interface between your network and the internet and enabling you to share your internet connection among other computers. The main dissimilarity between these two broadband routers is the way in which they connect to the internet.

Actually, ADSL broadband is accomplished by upgrading your existing telephone line for high-speed internet services. Here ADSL modem routers work by just plugging directly into the upgraded telephone line and thus avoids the need of a separate modem. Once connected, the ADSL modem router is automatically able to share the broadband internet with all the computers in your network.

Cable broadband users connect to the internet via cable modem that is plugged into the cable socket. Cable routers work by plugging it into the provided cable modem's in-built networking port. This is also known as Ethernet port or RJ-45 connection and you need this to share your cable internet with in your network. Once connected to the modem, which in turn is connected to the cable socket, the cable router shares the broadband internet with all the computers in your network.