Nowadays just about every company has computer routers hooking their computers up to a network. Being able to install and maintain a router such as a cable DSL router is knowledge that many companies need on staff, so the number of these types of positions has increased over the last couple of years. The right network routers education and training will allow you to get one of those jobs.

The first step to getting the proper training in computer routers is to decide your plan of action. Consider these ideas:

1. Take the required courses to become knowledgeable in the field of networking routers.

2. Join other networking professionals at events and seminars dealing with cable modem routers.

3. Become a certified technician in some of the biggest names in networking routers.

Action Steps for Network Router Selection
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Complete your education and learn more about equipment such as a cable modem router

When you decide that you want to become a technician who works on equipment such as wireless network routers, the right network routers education and training is the first step to having a successful career in the field. Some training programs give you the option of how you want to complete you education. This way, if you are switching careers or otherwise working full-time, then you will still be able to complete your networking router education.

I recommend: Alexander Resources has a number of classes and seminars available that will teach you about network routers. Their classes are offered as a DVD home-study program, in a classroom and online. Cisco Systems, a well-known name in providers of network routers, offers many classes and seminars to teach you how to work with their routers.

Be a part of an organization and take advantage of opportunities to learn more about network routers

An important part of your career is taking advantage of continuing education and networking opportunities offered by professional trade organizations. Joining one of these groups will give you access to other technicians who also work on cable modem routers for example. You can learn from individuals who have been in the business longer than yourself.

I recommend: Meet up with other network router technicians at events sponsored by the Network Professional Association. If you are looking for a great way to stay up-to-date on the latest network router technology through conferences and seminars, then join Network and Systems Professionals Associations.

Get certified to install and repair the most well-known brands of networking routers

In addition to getting network routers education and training, it is also a good idea to get certifications in certain brands of equipment such as wireless routers. This certification means you are a specialist at installing and maintaining the most common types of network routers, thereby making you more attractive to potential employers.

I recommend: Become certified on Juniper Networks router equipment and get the seal of approval from the manufacturer to set up and maintain their network routers. SemSim is useful software that helps you prepare for the Cisco Certified Network Associate exam. This certification is the gold standard of network router certifications.

What is a network router and why worry about buying one? A fair number of computer owners don't need a network router, but if you expect to run a small office or home office with more than one computer, or connect even a single computer to a wireless network, a network router is the solution.

Think of a network router like a traffic cop. When two or more computers share a printer, or a Web connection, something has to connect them and do the work of deciding who goes first. Network routers are not big nor particularly complex, but they are useful for keeping your small office productive at the lowest possible cost. And they're not even expensive!

Covered in this guide to network routers:

1. When you will need a network router
2. Why buy a wireless router to network your office
3. When a switch will do, and when a network router is better
4. Tips on economizing and simplifying network router systems

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When you need to consider a network router

Got a single desktop in your home office, a Web connection and a printer? You're done. No network router needed. But add a second desk or move into an office space, and a number of tasks -- sharing files between computers, dividing the Internet connection, connecting two or more people to a single printer -- and you'll be network router shopping.

I recommend: A basic network router will connect either four (sometimes five) or eight computers and most can be expanded upon. Take a look at routers from manfacturers Belkin, Cisco, HP, 3Com, Adtran, Nortel, Netgear and Linksys. Or target by router type on Business.com, which features categorized listings of ethernet routers and other networking hardware.

Find out if you need a network adapter

An additional part is often prescribed when setting up a home network, called a 'network adapter.' This is exactly what it sounds like, an small part that allows your computer to physically connect to a network router. On a desktop computer, this is a PCI card, which is installed inside. For laptops, it's often a PCMCIA card, also called a PC card, which is the size of a credit card and goes in the side of the machine.

I recommend: If you bought a laptop or desktop in the last year or so, chances are very high these adapters are unnecessary. They come pre-installed and ready to go, especially with laptops. If you want technical details, Wikipedia has a good entry on them. More on PCMCIA and network adapters is at Business.com

If you go wireless, you'll need a wireless router

Even if you expect to connect only one computer wirelessly, say a laptop with Wi-Fi capability, the way to get your small office or home office space going is to set up a wireless network. Even for small teams of five or more computers, a wireless network router is a painless, cable-free way to link up.

I recommend: Many network routers are wireless routers, but not all. Be sure to buy a wireless router that will transmit the short-range signal, known as Wi-Fi, that your laptop or desktop will hear. At Linksys, a popular small office-home office vendor owned by Cisco, you'll find simple yet complete tutorials on wireless router networking. Check out Business.com to find vendors of wireless network routers.

What a router switch is and what it is not

Some people use 'network router' and 'switch' interchangeably. This is an error. They often look the same, but a network router does much more.

I recommend: A switch can connect two computers but it cannot effectively manage their relationship with the Web (nor provide security, like firewalls, as can a network router). It makes sense in some cases to buy cheaper switches (or their slightly more robust cousins, called "hubs") to link up machines, but prices on network routers are low enough now to invest in network routers first. Read the technical details at Practically Networked and see options at the Business.com listing on network switches.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A modem router is just the latest wrinkle in simplicity. Manufacturers realized that desk space was at a premium in home offices and combined the modem, which intercepts broadband Web from a cable or phone line, and a network router into one unit.
• •  An Internet router is not just for home use, and not just for computers. Increasingly, routers serve to connect Web-based phone systems, Internet radio, digital TV and other Web content -- even newer game consoles.
• •  A hub and router combo is useful for extending a wireless system over a larger area, like in a school or older office building with thick walls. The hub repeats the signal from the router, extending network coverage.

People rely on the Internet to send and receive email messages and documents every day. Behind the scenes, a complex system works to transmit all this information. Network routers are responsible for performing this work. There are millions of network routers on the Internet. In order to function, network routers must have at least two networks. They don’t just send information; they protect networks, preventing traffic from overflowing into them.

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Network routers

Network routers, which are specialized computers, route and forward information to other routers. They determine what is the best route to send information. Network routers have specialized operating system software. It's also not unusual for them to have multiple central processing units (CPUs).

I recommend: InetDaemon provides information on how network routers work. It also explains why they’re necessary.

Configuration table

A configuration table consists of the location of the network devices and their conditions. The network router then uses the information in this table to decide upon the best route to send the data.

I recommend: TechTarget provides a comprehensive definition of a configuration table.

Packet

Packets are the basic elements of transporting information on computer networks. They can vary in size. Packets comprise the following: header, body and trailer. The body consists of the message that is being sent.

I recommend: Look at Cheap56k to get a brief description of a packet.

Packet-switching network

Packet switching separates messages into packets before they're transmitted. Network routers send these packets individually. Once all the packets arrive at the destination they are reassembled into the original message. Packet switching makes the best use of the network's bandwidth and reduces the time it takes for the information to travel across the network.

I recommend: Linfo not only explains what a packet-switching network is but why IT professionals use this technology.

Layer 3

When network engineers design and implement networks, they base them on a model, known as OSI, which stands for Open Systems Interconnection. OSI consists of several layers. One of these layers is the network layer, which is also known as Layer 3. The network router functions on this layer and is responsible for connecting networks, selecting routes and maintaining specific types of broadcast traffic.

I recommend: Pulse provides an abstract on Layer 3. You will learn about its origins, as well as the other models that play important roles in computer networking.

Subnet masks

Subnet masks help network routers identify which messages should stay within the network and which should be sent to another one. The subnet masks usually contain 255.255.255.0.

I recommend: Microsoft offers in-depth information on subnet masks.