How Does The Router Work?
May 5th, 2006 under Internet
What’s the router for?
Routers 路游器 [lu4you2qi4] enable a home/office to have a one internet line coming in, but more than one computer to use that internet connection. When you decide to install a router, it means you want more than one computer to connect to one internet line. The information on the internet reaches the computer in such a manner:
Internet -> Modem -> Router -> Computers in the Home/Office
Routers can be divided into two kinds:
1. Those that require you to run a cable between the router and the connecting computer. ‘Wired.’
2. Those that do not require you to run a cable between the router and the connecting computer. Wireless.
(Because the wireless router also has ‘wired’ capabilities, let’s use the wireless router to find out more about its workings)
What pokes into the backside of a wireless router?
1. Power source (leftmost black cable in this picture).
2. Internet cable which comes from the modem (white cable in this picture).
3. Other internet cables to connect to other computers. In this picture, you can see 4 empty slots. If you want to connect other computers to this router using internet cables, these are the slots you use - maxed at four computers.
What do the flickering lights say?
1. Power: Light should hold steady.
2. System: Light should flicker.
3. WAN (Wireless Area Network) Link/ACT: This light should flicker if a computer is connecting through this wireless router. ‘Link’ means the router’s link to the modem. If the WAN light is not lit, then it’s the modem’s problem and you should look for your modem service provider e.g. China Mobile. ‘ACT’ means the router’s link to the wirelessly-connected computer.
4. LAN (Local Area Network): For the above router, there will be four lights. For each computer that has an internet cable plugged in, the light will flicker to indicate if signals are flowing through from the router to the connected computer. In the case of this wireless router, because there are no computers connected to it via internet cables, none of the lights are lit.
5. WLAN ACT: This light will flicker. If it doesn’t, then it could be a problem with your wireless router.
Courtesy of the internet guy who set it up…