router

Data traffic director

A router is a device that directs data traffic between computer networks, connecting your home or office to the internet and managing communication between devices.

Pronounced to rhyme with "outer." Separately, a router (rhyming with "hooter") is a power tool that hollows out grooves or shapes edges in wood: He used a router to cut the decorative molding.

woodworking

bit

Small amount or portion

  • colletTool-clamping metal cylinder
  • spindleRotating rod for thread
  • jigSpirited folk dance

template · edge · groove · rabbet · dado · mortise · chamfer · plunge · handheld · table

networking

modem

Digital-to-analog signal converter

  • switchCircuit-breaking toggle device
  • hubCentral connection point
  • firewallNetwork access control system

gateway · ethernet · LAN · WAN · subnet · NAT · DHCP · IP address · IPv4 · IPv6

wireless

Wi-Fi

Wireless network standard

  • signalMessage-conveying cue
  • SSIDWireless network identifier
  • hotspotArea of notable activity

antenna · frequency · mesh · dual-band · tri-band · range · coverage · interference · channels · WPA

Categories
Opposites
network topology role

routerendpoint

Final point reached

client · terminal · host · workstation · node

network function

routermodem

Digital-to-analog signal converter

network adapter · NIC · firewall · switch · hub

woodworking tool function

routerjointer

Board-flattening machine

planer · sander · file · buffer · clamp

Phrases
Family

routine, route, rout, routed, routes, routing, routers

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G