What Is Router Software?

By Author: Richard Evans
Total Articles: 19
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Theoretically, router is a component used for computer networking that forward data packet to their destination based on their address. In simple words, routers are used in different context. WAN routers are used to join two networks running in two different locations. Wireless routers are used to combine wired and wireless networks to share Internet connection and other system resources. In order to establish a computer network, you need to install various software and hardware. Wireless routers are being commonly used, since most of the users are impressed with wireless networks and want to implement them.

Router software is an essential component for the proper functioning of router. Router software is actually known as router ‘firmware’. This is a software program embedded on router's smart chip by the manufacturer. Router software enables you to manage routing, administrative features and other security settings. Router firmware works is similar to the operating system running on your computer. Without an operating system users cannot communicate with the computer nor can the computer perform any action. In the ...
... same way, without router software, router is just a box filled with ICs and smart chips.

Both the wired and wireless routers contain the firmware. The router firmware changes according to the model of the router and the manufacturer. You can upgrade the firmware program to enhance the features and to fix several errors. Router software upgrade offers you various benefits. If anyone knows your administrator password, they can log in to the router page and modify settings. Anyone who can access the router software interface can make his computer a part of the network. Hence, security measures become important. Router software allows you to enable different security options like WEP, WAP and WAP2. These options allow you to make the network secure from unauthorized access.

A router setup is an easy task which can be carried out easily by referring user manuals. Apart from user manuals, you can find various online articles that describe about router setup procedures. Wireless router setup procedures are very simple when compared to other routers.

Here are some tips to setup a wireless router

• Connect your router
• Login to the router page
• Configure the settings
• Connect to the network

Router configuration has to be carried out with immense care because a wrong setting on the router page can affect the entire network and may open security holes. Router settings can be accessed by entering the IP address of your router in the address bar of the web browser. Router security options have to be customized based on the network requirement. Operating System running on computers has to be considered while configuring the router security settings. If you have many computers running with Windows XP, WEP will be the best option. If Windows Vista or Windows 7 holds the majority, WPA or WPA2 would the best choice.

In this article, Richard Evans, a computer salesman shares his ideas about the Router software and Router configuration.