Router Hardware
Summary
This topic describe the types of routers available for small to-medium-sized business networks. Start learning CCNA 200-301 for free right now!!
Note: Welcome: This topic is part of Module 11 of the Cisco CCNA 3 course, for a better follow up of the course you can go to the CCNA 3 section to guide you through an order.
Table of Contents
Router Requirements
Switches are not the only component of a network that come with a variety of features. Your choice of router is another very important decision. Routers play a critical role in networking by connecting homes and businesses to the internet, interconnecting multiple sites within an enterprise network, providing redundant paths, and connecting ISPs on the internet. Routers can also act as a translator between different media types and protocols. For example, a router can accept packets from an Ethernet network and re-encapsulate them for transport over a serial network.
Routers use the network portion (prefix) of the destination IP address to route packets to the proper destination. They select an alternate path if a link goes down. All hosts on a local network specify the IP address of the local router interface in their IP configuration. This router interface is the default gateway. The ability to route efficiently and recover from network link failures is critical to delivering packets to their destination.
Routers also serve other beneficial functions as follows:
- They provide broadcast containment by limiting broadcasts to the local network.
- They interconnect geographically separated locations.
- They group users logically by application or department within a company, based on common needs or requiring access to the same resources.
- They provide enhanced security by filtering unwanted traffic through access control lists.
Cisco Routers
As the network grows, it is important to select the proper routers to meet its requirements. There are different categories of Cisco routers.
Click each button for more information about the categories of routers.
Branch routers, shown in the figure, optimize branch services on a single platform while delivering an optimal application experience across branch and WAN infrastructures. Maximizing service availability at the branch requires networks designed for 24x7x365 uptime. Highly available branch networks must ensure fast recovery from typical faults, while minimizing or eliminating the impact on service, and provide simple network configuration and management. Shown are the Cisco Integrated Services Router (ISR) 4000 Series Routers.
Network edge routers, shown in the figure, enable the network edge to deliver high-performance, highly secure, and reliable services that unite campus, data center, and branch networks. Customers expect a high-quality media experience and more types of content than ever before. Customers want interactivity, personalization, mobility, and control for all content. Customers also want to access content anytime and anyplace they choose, over any device, whether at home, at work, or on the go. Network edge routers must deliver enhanced quality of service and nonstop video and mobile capabilities. Shown are the Cisco Aggregation Services Routers (ASR) 9000 Series Routers.
Service provider routers, shown in the figure, deliver end-to-end scalable solutions and subscriber-aware services. Operators must optimize operations, reduce expenses, and improve scalability and flexibility, to deliver next-generation internet experiences across all devices and locations. These systems are designed to simplify and enhance the operation and deployment of service-delivery networks. Shown are the Cisco Network Convergence System (NCS) 6000 Series Routers.
Industrial routers, such as the ones shown in the figure, are designed to provide enterprise-class features in rugged and harsh environments. Their compact, modular, ruggedized design is excellent for mission-critical applications. Shown are the Cisco 1100 Series Industrial Integrated Services Routers.
Router Form Factors
Like switches, routers also come in many form factors. Network administrators in an enterprise environment should be able to support a variety of routers, from a small desktop router to a rack-mounted or blade model.
Click each button for more information on various Cisco router platforms.
Cisco 900 Series
This is a small branch office router. It combines WAN, switching, security, and advanced connectivity options in a compact, fanless platform for small and medium-sized businesses.
Cisco ASR 9000 and 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers
These routers provide density and resiliency with programmability, for a scalable network edge.
Cisco Network Convergence System 5500 Series Routers
These routers are designed to efficiently scale between large data centers and large enterprise networks, web, and service provider WAN and aggregation networks.
Cisco 800 Industrial Integrated Services Router
This router is compact and designed for harsh environments.
Routers can also be categorized as fixed configuration or modular. With the fixed configuration, the desired router interfaces are built-in. Modular routers come with multiple slots that allow a network administrator to change the interfaces on the router. Routers come with a variety of different interfaces, such as Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, Serial, and Fiber-Optic.
A comprehensive list of Cisco routers can be found by searching Cisco’s website www.cisco.com.
Glossary: If you have doubts about any special term, you can consult this computer network dictionary.
Ready to go! Keep visiting our networking course blog, give Like to our fanpage; and you will find more tools and concepts that will make you a networking professional.
