7.2.5  Home router

• If you have an Internet connection at home, you are probably using a home router given to you by your service provider. Although it is often referred to as a router, it is actually a combination of all the devices that we have discussed so far:
  • Wireless Access Point: provides wireless connectivity for WiFi devices.
  • Switch: provides Ethernet ports for the connection of devices using UTP cables.
  • Router: provides routing between the home and ISP IP networks. Also performs Network Address Translation (NAT) and firewall security.
  • Modem: converts the router output to a format suitable for transmission over the link used to connect to the ISP, usually DSL or cable.

Figure 20