A router is a specialized computer that connects two or more networks together. This can include Local Area Network (LAN) to Local Area Network, LAN to Wide Area Network (WAN), and network to Internet. Its purpose is to make sure information makes it to its correct destination. Routers communicate with each other to determine the path of least resistance for transmission. Once they determine the paths, they store the information in forwarding tables and wait for someone to access that Web site or IP address. Once the router receives a packet from your computer, it will read the IP address of the destination computer and then scan its forwarding tables to create a connection with that computer. It will then send a connection message to the other computer and tell it to be ready to receive your packets. Once the destination computer responds to the connection message, the router will determine the best path for the packets to follow by scanning the forwarding tables of other routers.
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