FAQ - What is a router/TCP/IP?

Q: What is a router? What is TCP/IP?

It enables data to be routed between different networks, for example between an Ethernet Local Area Network (LAN) and a GSM, GPRS or PSTN Wide Area Network (WAN). It provides:

Protocol conversion at the network address layer typically routing TCP/IP protocols

Recovery of TCP/IP protocols from the local Ethernet protocols which are routed over PPP protocols for tranfers over GSM, GPRS and PSTN networks.

A firewall features to isolate networks and provide security for private networks.

It performs very little filtering; it simply transports TCP/IP protocols between the 2 networks. It is used to create a network with remote access and enables:

Private networks to be inter-networked with other networks such as the Internet.

Access to a private network

Security for the private network

TCP/IP is an open protocol or "common language", which enables 2 devices to communicate over a network.

The Internet Protocol (IP) enables a device to set up a "connection" to a remote device using a unique address, ie IP address.

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) provides the "connection" between the devices.

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Q: What is a router? What is TCP/IP?