A router operates at Layer 3 of the OSI model, inspecting the destination IP address of incoming packets and determining the optimal path to forward them. It connects distinct networks, such as a local area network to the wider internet, and maintains routing tables to make forwarding decisions. Enterprise routers also handle traffic filtering, network address translation, and dynamic routing protocols.
Heard on the job
The edge router is dropping BGP sessions with the ISP, so all outbound traffic is failing.
Do not mix it up with
- Switch: A switch connects devices within the same network at Layer 2, while a router connects different networks at Layer 3.