What is a router?

A router is a device that connects two or more packet-switched networks or

subnetworks. It serves two primary functions: managing traffic between these networks
by forwarding data packets to their intended IP addresses, and allowing multiple devices
to use the same Internet connection.

There are several types of routers, but most routers pass data between LANs (local area
networks) and WANs (wide area networks). A LAN is a group of connected devices
restricted to a specific geographic area. A LAN usually requires a single router.

A WAN, by contrast, is a large network spread out over a vast geographic area. Large
organizations and companies that operate in multiple locations across the country, for
instance, will need separate LANs for each location, which then connect to the other
LANs to form a WAN. Because a WAN is distributed over a large area, it often
necessitates multiple routers and switches*.

References: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/network-layer/what-is-a-router/
https://19216811.uno/linksys-router-login/
https://19216811.uno/recover-wifi-username-and-password/
*A  network switch  forwards data packets between groups of devices in the same network,
whereas a router forwards data between different networks.

How does a router work?

Think of a router as an air

traffic controller and
data packets as aircraft
headed to different
airports (or networks). Just
as each plane has a
unique destination and
follows a unique route,
each packet needs to be
guided to its destination as
efficiently as possible. In the
same way that an air traffic controller ensures that planes reach their destinations
without getting lost or suffering a major disruption along the way, a router helps direct
data packets to their destination IP address.

References: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/network-layer/what-is-a-router/
https://19216811.uno/linksys-router-login/
https://19216811.uno/recover-wifi-username-and-password/
In order to direct packets effectively, a router uses an internal routing table — a list of
paths to various network destinations. The router reads a packet's header to determine
where it is going, then consults the routing table to figure out the most efficient path to
that destination. It then forwards the packet to the next network in the path.

To learn more about IP routing and the protocols that are used during this process,
read What is routing?

What is the difference between a router

and a modem?

Source: https://turbofuture.com/internet/Difference-Between-Modem-and-Router-in-Home-Wifi

Although some Internet service providers (ISPs) may combine a router and a modem
within a single device, they are not the same. Each plays a different but equally
important role in connecting networks to each other and to the Internet.

References: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/network-layer/what-is-a-router/
https://19216811.uno/linksys-router-login/
https://19216811.uno/recover-wifi-username-and-password/
A router forms networks and manages the flow of data within and between those
networks, while a modem connects those networks to the Internet. Modems forge a
connection to the Internet by converting signals from an ISP into a digital signal that can
be interpreted by any connected device. A single device may plug into a modem in
order to connect to the Internet; alternately, a router can help distribute this signal to
multiple devices within an established network, allowing all of them to connect to the
Internet simultaneously.

Think of it like this: If Bob has a router, but no modem, he will be able to create a LAN
and send data between the devices on that network. However, he will not be able to
connect that network to the Internet. Alice, on the other hand, has a modem, but no
router. She will be able to connect a single device to the Internet (for example, her work
laptop), but cannot distribute that Internet connection to multiple devices (say, her
laptop and her smartphone). Carol, meanwhile, has a router and a modem. Using both
devices, she can form a LAN with her desktop computer, tablet, and smartphone and
connect them all to the Internet at the same time.

References: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/network-layer/what-is-a-router/
https://19216811.uno/linksys-router-login/
https://19216811.uno/recover-wifi-username-and-password/
What are the different types of routers?
In order to connect a LAN to the Internet, a router first needs to communicate with a
modem. There are two primary ways to do this:

 Wireless router: A wireless router uses an Ethernet cable to connect to a

modem. It distributes data by converting packets from binary code into radio
signals, then wirelessly broadcasts them using antennae. Wireless routers do
not establish LANs; instead, they create WLANs (wireless local area networks),
which connect multiple devices using wireless communication.

Sour
ce: https://www.linksys.com/wifi-router.html

 Wired router: Like a wireless router, a wired router also uses an Ethernet cable
to connect to a modem. It then uses separate cables to connect to one or
more devices within the network, create a LAN, and link the devices within
that network to the Internet.

References: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/network-layer/what-is-a-router/
https://19216811.uno/linksys-router-login/
https://19216811.uno/recover-wifi-username-and-password/
 Source: https://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia/term/wired-router

In addition to wireless and wired routers for small LANs, there are many specialized
types of routers that serve specific functions:

 Core router: Unlike the routers used within a home or small business LAN, a
core router is used by large corporations and businesses that transmit a high
volume of data packets within their network. Core routers operate at the
"core" of a network and do not communicate with external networks.

 Edge router: While a core router exclusively manages data traffic within a

large-scale network, an edge router communicates with both core routers and
external networks. Edge routers live at the "edge" of a network and use
the BGP (Border Gateway Protocol) to send and receive data from other LANs
and WANs.

 Virtual router: A virtual router is a software application that performs the same
function as a standard hardware router. It may use the Virtual Router
Redundancy Protocol (VRRP) to establish primary and backup virtual routers,
should one fail.

References: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/network-layer/what-is-a-router/
https://19216811.uno/linksys-router-login/
https://19216811.uno/recover-wifi-username-and-password/
What is an SSID?
SSID stands for "service set identifier," and it is the technical term for the name of the
network that WLAN routers broadcast. SSIDs enable users to find and connect to the
wireless network broadcast by the router (a properly secured router should require
password entry as well). Consumer routers for WiFi networks usually have their factory-
default SSID printed on the side or bottom.

What are some of the security challenges

associated with routers?
Vulnerability exploits: All hardware-based routers come with automatically installed
software known as firmware that helps the router perform its functions. Like any other
piece of software, router firmware often contains vulnerabilities that cyber attackers can
exploit (one example), and router vendors periodically issue updates to patch these
vulnerabilities. For this reason, router firmware needs to be updated regularly.
Unpatched routers can be compromised by attackers, enabling them to monitor traffic
or use the router as part of a botnet.

DDoS attacks: Small and large organizations often are the targets of distributed denial-
of-service (DDoS) attacks directed at their network infrastructure. Unmitigated network
layer DDoS attacks can overwhelm routers or cause them to crash, resulting in network
downtime. Cloudflare Magic Transit is one solution for protecting routers and networks
from these kinds of DDoS attacks.

Administrative credentials: All routers come with a set of admin credentials for
performing administrative functions. These credentials are set to default values, such as
"admin" as the username and "admin" as the password. The username and password
should be reset to something more secure as soon as possible: attackers are aware of

References: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/network-layer/what-is-a-router/
https://19216811.uno/linksys-router-login/
https://19216811.uno/recover-wifi-username-and-password/
the common default values for these credentials and can use them to gain control of the
router remotely if they are not reset.

Linksys Router Login

Linksys router web interface allows you to change WiFi password, SSID,
create guest network, and default settings at http://192.168.1.1 or
myrouter.local.

192.168.1.1 Login
myrouter.local Login

How to login to Linksys router?

To access 192.168.1.1 or myrouter.local, your device must be connected to
your Linksys Router’s WiFi network.

1. Open a browser and type “192.168.1.1” or “myrouter.local” in the

address bar.

References: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/network-layer/what-is-a-router/
https://19216811.uno/linksys-router-login/
https://19216811.uno/recover-wifi-username-and-password/
 2. Enter your Username and Password and click Login. The default
username and password is admin.

3. You will be logged in to Linksys router’s web interface.

How to change Linksys WiFi password?

1. Login to Linksys web interface.

2. Go to Wireless/Configuration > Wireless Security.
3. Select “WPA2 Personal” in the “Security Mode“.
4. Enter your new router password in the “Passphrase/Pre-Shared
Key” field.
5. Click “Save Settings” and the changes will be applied.

]How to change Linksys Network Name (SSID)?

1. Login to Linksys web interface.

2. Go to Wireless/Configuration > Basic Wireless
Settings > select Manual (if prompted).

References: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/network-layer/what-is-a-router/
https://19216811.uno/linksys-router-login/
https://19216811.uno/recover-wifi-username-and-password/
 3. In the Network Name (SSID) field enter your preferred WiFi name.

4. Click “Save Settings” and the changes will be applied.

How To Recover WiFi Username

and Password?
If you happen to lost the password of your Wi-Fi network, then here’s
how to recover it. In case you haven’t changed the password previously then
you can use the default WiFi login that is printed on a label at the back of your
router. Or check the list of default username and passwords.
Below we show you how to recover your WiFi password on Windows, macOS,
and through router admin panel:

References: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/network-layer/what-is-a-router/
https://19216811.uno/linksys-router-login/
https://19216811.uno/recover-wifi-username-and-password/
Router Admin Panel:

If you are already connected to the WiFi but forgot the WiFi password then you
can use the following method to find your password.

1. Open a browser and log in to your router web interface using the
default router IP address.
2. The default IP address is
typically 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1 (check the list of default
router ID and passwords)
3. Once logged in, go to Wireless > Wireless Settings.
4. You will see your WiFi password listed next to the Passphrase or
Security Key field.

Windows:

Recovering a forgotten WiFi password is easy on Windows if you have

previously connected to the WiFi network through the same Windows PC.
Because you entered the password before connecting to the network, the
password is saved on your PC, and here is how you can recover your forgotten
WiFi Password on Windows:

References: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/network-layer/what-is-a-router/
https://19216811.uno/linksys-router-login/
https://19216811.uno/recover-wifi-username-and-password/
 1. In the Run Box or Start Menu, search for View network
connections and press Enter.

2. A new window will open with all of the networks. Select your WiFi
network and right-click on it and select Status.

References: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/network-layer/what-is-a-router/
https://19216811.uno/linksys-router-login/
https://19216811.uno/recover-wifi-username-and-password/
 3. A new popup will appear. Click on Wireless Properties.

4. Now, go to the Security tab.

References: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/network-layer/what-is-a-router/
https://19216811.uno/linksys-router-login/
https://19216811.uno/recover-wifi-username-and-password/
 5. Under the Network security key, mark the Show characters tick
box.

6. Once you do that, the password of the selected Wireless

connection will become visible.

References: https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/network-layer/what-is-a-router/
https://19216811.uno/linksys-router-login/
https://19216811.uno/recover-wifi-username-and-password/