As understanding the term Gateway can be hard, regardless of whether you are an IT amateur or professional, we decided to write this article and clarify once and for all what is Gateway router and what it actually does.
Moreover, although reading about this device and technology can be confusing and make things even more complex and unclear, we tried to break it down and explain the matter so that after reading this article, absolutely anyone can understand what a Gateway router is and how to make good use of it.
What Is Gateway Router?
A Gateway is also known as a router (device) or a node that enables the connection of disparate networks by translating the communications from one protocol to another and vice versa. This device or hardware basically acts like a gate or an entrance for the other nodes amongst the networks.
Besides this, another major function of the Gateway router is that it enables a continuous and uninterrupted traffic flow within the network itself. To be able to do its functions properly and correctly, the Gateway router uses more than one protocol for communication, which is why the Gateway router’s activities are much more complicated and complex than a regular router or a switch.
So to simplify and rephrase, the getaway router’s function is to provide uninterrupted communication among networks with different sets of protocols while translating them from one protocol to another.
Lastly, if we are talking about a gateway in the workplace, this device is usually in the shape of a computer system with the same responsibility; to route the traffic and direct it from the main workstation to the network that’s outside. And if we are talking about homes, the gateway acts as an internet provider.
Read more: What Is Edge Router?
Gateway Router and Regular Router
The best way to understand what is Gateway router is to make a comparison between a regular one and a Gateway one.
Namely, the greatest difference between these two lies in their function. On the one hand, the router is responsible for receiving, analyzing, and forwarding the data to other networks. In contrast, on the other hand, the gateway is responsible for flowing communication between networks with different sets of protocols.
What are the similarities between a Gateway router and a router?
Both routers are part of the hardware components in the networks, and they both serve to regulate the traffic and determine an unlimited flow amongst the different networks. In some cases, the network might use both routers as access-point and end-point, where the router becomes a gateway.
Usually, the gateway needs a router and a switch to complete the routing process. When it receives a data packet, it translates the protocol and sends it to the next router. Both the router and gateway need network cards inserted to facilitate communication.
What are the differences between a Gateway router and a router?
- First and most important, the gateway router does not support dynamic routing, while the router does.
- The primary function of the gateway router is to translate one protocol to another, whereas the router serves to route traffic from one network to another.
- On the OSI model, the gateway operates on level five, whereas the router operates on levels three and four.
- The working principle of the gateway is to differentiate what is outside the network and what is inside the network, while the working principle of the router is to install routing details for routing traffic and multiple networks based on their destination addresses.
- The additional features that a gateway provides are protocol conversion, network access control, etc., and the additional features that the router provides are Static routing, DHCP server, wireless networking, NAT, and others.
- The gateway is usually hosted on all kinds of devices, such as physical servers, dedicated applications, or virtual applications. The router is only hosted on dedicated applications.
How Does a Gateway Work
The first and foremost thing you need to know is that the Gateway is usually used on a network layer five of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, but a virtual or standalone gateway might be deployed and work anywhere in the network where a translation is needed.
These routers can be bidirectional, meaning allowing the particular data to flow both out and in the network, and unidirectional, where the gateway allows the data to flow only in one direction.
Besides translating protocols, the Gateway can also be used in various security processes, such as a proxy server to maintain restricted access to certain assets or applications, a firewall to filter and scan data, etc.
Lastly, as the packets go to the gateway, this router checks the information at once and then checks for any kind of error in the packet and destination IP address. Then, according to the needs of the particular network, it carries out the data and conversion protocol on the packet.
Finally, the processed packet is sent to the router so that it can establish intelligent communication between the different networks.
Also read: What Is a Smart WiFi Router?
Capabilities and Features of Network Gateway Routers
- Multiprotocol – Gateway routers should always be programmable and customizable so that they can work with a variety of network protocols; in other words, the greater the capability, the greater the router’s flexibility and, therefore, greater enhancement of resilience and security
- Analytics – in combination with observability and monitoring software, the Gateway can play a major role in collecting information from other parts of the particular network, troubleshooting, and assisting diagnostics
- Security – as the Gateway represents one of the most important locations for security software and firewalls, it should also offer features for managing and installing security tools
- Visibility – since the Gateway is a single location, it is the ideal palace to measure and monitor network activity
Uses of Network Gateway
- Internet of things (IoT)
- Application access
- Wireless access
- Voice over IP (VoIP)
- Cloud storage
- Cellular access
Conclusion
Overwhelmed by the many articles written in technical terms and rarely can anyone understand what is what, we have decided to write this article where we will highlight what is Gateway router and explain everything you need to know about it once and for all.
Moreover, we made sure to include the specifics of this router and how it works. Most importantly, we have finally demarcated the differences between a Gateway router and a router so that anyone interested in this topic no longer has any ambiguities.