ROUTER

A router is a device that forwards data packets along networks. A router is

connected to at least two networks, commonly two LANs or WANs or a LAN
and its ISP's network.

Routers are located at gateways, the places where two or more networks
connect, and are the critical device that keeps data flowing between networks
and keeps the networks connected to the Internet.
Why Would I Need a Router?
For most home users, they may want to set-up a LAN (local Area Network)
or WLAN (wireless LAN) and connect all computers to the Internet without
having to pay a full broadband subscription service to their ISP for each
computer on the network.

In many instances, an ISP will allow you to use a router and connect
multiple computers to a single Internet connection and pay a nominal fee
for each additional computer sharing the connection. This is when home
users will want to look at smaller routers, often called broadband routers
that enable two or more computers to share an Internet connection.

Within a business or organization,  you may need to connect multiple

computers to the Internet, but also want to connect multiple private
networks — and these are the types of functions a router is designed for.
Wireless Router
A wireless router is a device that performs the
functions of a router but also includes the functions of
a wireless access point and a network switch. They are
commonly used to allow access to the Internet or a
computer network without the need for a cabled
connection.
It can function in a wired LAN (local area network), a
wireless only LAN (WLAN), or a mixed wired/wireless
network.
Wired and Wireless Routers
Wireless broadband routers look much the same as a wired router, with the obvious
exception of the antenna on top, and the lack of cable running from the PCs to the
router when it is all set up. Creating a wireless network adds a bit more security
concerns as opposed to wired networks, but wireless broadband routers do have extra
levels of embedded security. 
Along with the features found in wired routers, wireless routers also provide features
relevant to wireless security such as Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA) and wireless
MAC address filtering. Additionally, most wireless routers can be configured for
"invisible mode" so that your wireless network cannot be scanned by outside wireless
clients.  Wireless routers will often include ports for Ethernet connections as well.
Wired and wireless routers and the resulting network can claim pros and cons over
each other, but they are somewhat equal overall in terms of function and
performance. Both wired and wireless routers have high reliability and reasonably
good security (without adding additional products). However —and this bears
repeating — as we mentioned you may need to invest time in learning more about
wireless security.
Generally, going wired will be cheaper overall, but setting up the router and cabling in
the computers is a bit more difficult than setting up the wireless network. Of course,
mobility on a wired system is very limited while wireless offers outstanding mobility
features.
Advantages of Wi-Fi
Operational advantages:
Wi-Fi allows the deployment of local area networks (LANs) without
wires for client devices, typically reducing the costs of network
deployment and expansion. Spaces where cables cannot be run, such
as outdoor areas and historical buildings, can host wireless LANs.
As of 2010 manufacturers are building wireless network adapters
into most laptops. The price of chipsets for Wi-Fi continues to drop,
making it an economical networking option included in even more
devices. Wi-Fi has become widespread in corporate infrastructures.
Wi-Fi operates in more than 220,000 public hotspots and in tens of
millions of homes and corporate and university campuses
worldwide.[30] The current version of Wi-Fi Protected Access
encryption (WPA2) as of 2010 is considered secure, provided users
employ a strong passphrase.
Cont…
WiFi networks can support roaming. This allows mobile users with
laptop computer to be able to move from one access point to another.
Allows LANs to be deployed without cabling, potentially reducing
the costs of network deployment and expansion. Spaces where cables
cannot be run, such as outdoor areas and historical buildings, can
host wireless LANs.
Widely available in more than 100 thousand public hot spots and
millions of homes and corporate campuses worldwide.
Speed - Over the past few years the technology has continued to
improve the speed of WiFi. WiFi‘s latest version is many times faster
than DSL or cable connections from the local exchange, and literally
hundreds of times faster than dial-up. Speeds are now even
becoming comparable to wired Ethernet 100base LAN with the
forthcoming WiFi 802.11n and WiMAX technologies.
Disadvantages of Wi-Fi
Free access points can be used by the malicious to
initiate an attack that would be extremely difficult to
track beyond the owner of the access point.
Access points could be used to steal personal and
confidential information transmitted from WiFi
consumers.
The most common wireless encryption standard,
wired equivalent privacy or WEP has been shown to be
breakable even when it has been correctly configured.
Uses of Wi-Fi
Internet access
A Wi-Fi enabled device such as a personal computer, video game console,
smartphone or digital audio player can connect to the Internet when within range of
a wireless network connected to the Internet. The coverage of one or more
(interconnected) access points — called hotspots — can comprise an area as small
as a few rooms or as large as many square miles. Coverage in the larger area may
depend on a group of access points with overlapping coverage. Wi-Fi technology has
been used in wireless mesh networks, for example, in London, UK.[16]
In addition to private use in homes and offices, Wi-Fi can provide public access at
Wi-Fi hotspots provided either free-of-charge or to subscribers to various
commercial services. Organizations and businesses - such as those running airports,
hotels and restaurants - often provide free-use hotspots to attract or assist clients.
Enthusiasts or authorities who wish to provide services or even to promote business
in selected areas sometimes provide free Wi-Fi access.
One can also connect Wi-Fi devices in ad-hoc mode for client-to-client connections
without a router. Wi-Fi also connects places that would traditionally not have network
access, for example kitchens and garden sheds.
City-wide Wi-Fi
In the early 2000s, many cities around the world announced plans for
city-wide Wi-Fi networks. This proved to be much more difficult than
their promoters initially envisioned with the result that most of these
projects were either canceled or placed on indefinite hold. A few were
successful, for example in 2005, Sunnyvale, California became the first
city in the United States to offer city-wide free Wi-Fi,[21] and Minneapolis
has generated $1.2 million profit annually for their provider.[22]
In May, 2010, London, UK Mayor Boris Johnson pledged London-wide
Wi-Fi by 2012.[23] Both the City of London, UK[24] and Islington[25] already
have extensive outdoor Wi-Fi coverage.
In 2010. Mysore became India's first Wi-fi enabled city and second in the
world after Jerusalem. A company called WiFiyNet has setup hotspots in
Mysore covering the complete city and a few villages near by.
Campus-wide Wi-Fi
Carnegie Mellon University built the first wireless
Internet network in the world at their Pittsburgh
campus in 1994,[26] long before Wi-Fi branding
originated in 1999. Many traditional college campuses
provide at least partial wireless Wi-Fi Internet
coverage.
Drexel University in Philadelphia made history by
becoming the United States' first major university to
offer completely wireless Internet access across the
entire campus in 2000.[27]
Direct computer-to-computer communications

Wi-Fi also allows communications directly from one

computer to another without the involvement of an
access point. This is called the ad hoc mode of Wi-Fi
transmission. This wireless ad hoc network mode has
proven popular with multiplayer
handheld game consoles, such as the Nintendo DS,
digital cameras, and other consumer electronics
devices.
Similarly, the Wi-Fi Alliance promotes a specification
called Wi-Fi Direct for file transfers and media sharing
through a new discovery- and security-methodology.[28]
Wi-Fi Direct launched in October 2010.[29]
Future directions
As of 2010 Wi-Fi technology has spread widely within
business and industrial sites. In business environments, just
like other environments, increasing the number of Wi-Fi
access points provides network redundancy, support for fast
roaming and increased overall network-capacity by using
more channels or by defining smaller cells. Wi-Fi enables
wireless voice-applications (VoWLAN or WVOIP). Over the
years, Wi-Fi implementations have moved toward "thin"
access points, with more of the network intelligence housed
in a centralized network appliance, relegating individual
access points to the role of "dumb" transceivers. Outdoor
applications may use mesh topologies.