Meaning – The term IP Router, refers to the device in an IP internet that is responsible for making decisions about the paths over which network traffic will flow. Routing protocols are used to gain information about the network and to determine the best route over which the datagram should be forwarded toward the final destination. The datagrams are routed based on IP destination addresses.
A router is connected to two or more data lines from different IP networks. When a data packet comes in on one of the lines, the router reads the network address information in the packet header to determine the ultimate destination. Then, using the information in its routing table or routing policy, it directs the packet to the next network on its journey.
Example of usage – “The most familiar type of IP routers are home and small office routers that simply forward IP packets between the home computers and the Internet.”
