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This article is about the type of network routers and modems found in many homes, known as residential gateways. For the type of network router used commercially or in larger networks, see Router . A residential gateway (or home gateway), is a Hardware device connecting a home network with a Wide Area Network (WAN) or the Internet . The residential gateway provides port translation ( NAT ), allowing all the computers in a small network to share one IP Address and Internet connection. The residential gateway may sit between the modem and the internal network, or a DSL or Cable Modem may be integrated into the residential gateway. A residential gateway often combines the functions of an IP Router , multi-port Ethernet Switch and WiFi Access Point . Residential gateways that include routing capabilities are Converged Devices and sometimes referred to as ''home routers'' or ''broadband routers'' with "broadband" in this case referring not to the router function but the Internet access function. Residential gateways are under standardization by the Home Gateway Initiative (HGI) TYPES OF RESIDENTIAL GATEWAY Gateways are often categorized according to the domestic device connectivity they incorporate. All residential gateways will provide in addition, a single connection for the WAN or Internet (usually ADSL or cable). Some common differentiators in the market are as follows: Some gateways provide routing (NAT) capabilities. They can be connected directly to an Ethernet Switch or Hub , have an IP Address on the Local Area Network , and will act as DHCP servers if required to allow multiple other devices to connect through them. These are usually described as Router s. Being self contained, they do not usually need Driver s and are OS-independent (can be used with any operating system). Other gateways, lacking this capability, are usually described as Modem s (or ADSL Modem s), and must be connected to a single device, or to a device which provides those capabilities separately - this might include a computer with Internet Connection Sharing in operation, which takes the role of gateway to other devices on the local area network. Routers are further differentiated by the local area connectivity provided. Options include on-board Switches or Hubs , to allow multiple ethernet devices to be connected directly to the gateway, whilst others have a single ethernet connector and must be connected to a separate hub or switch. Some include Wireless Network ing capabilities, and the internal switch allows both wired and wireless devices to be connected. A final category are those which can only be connected directly to a computer (usually via a USB connection externally, or by being designed as a PCI card internally), and therefore always act as modems. These are sometimes called USB Modem s or Internal Modem s. Quick guide to connectivity: # Gateway device can be used with Wireless devices → router # Gateway device has multiple ethernet ports at the back → router # Gateway device has USB but no ethernet → modem # Otherwise → see manufacturer's documentation MANUFACTURERS OF RESIDENTIAL GATEWAYS There are a number manufacturers of residential gateways including:
SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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