What is a router?

Really, do they have a definition?

protocolture 11 hours ago | parent | next [-]

Device that connects multiple networks? Layer 3 of the OSI model? Consumer ones tend to have more than that, but the more specific definition would work fine.

Yeah conceivably you could use this to ban any network device that is capable of routing between interfaces, so lots of switches with new firmware could do it, often terribly, as well as PCs with multiple interfaces. But its probably going to involve intention.

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dmonitor 5 hours ago | parent [-]

Any PC with a NIC is one VLAN and masquerade rule away from being a router

	▲	adrian_b 2 hours ago \| parent [-]
		That is true, but you can also add USB Ethernet interfaces to any PC, which is even simpler. For example, my router/firewall, which also implements various other network services, e.g. hosting my own e-mail server, is an old Intel NUC with 5 Ethernet ports, 4 of which are made with USB Ethernet interfaces.

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otterley 7 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

The definition is at the bottom of this document https://www.fcc.gov/sites/default/files/NSD-Routers0326.pdf

...which in turn refers to https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/ir/2024/NIST.IR.8425A.pdf

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walterbell 9 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Good question for devices that ship with multiple network interfaces, multiple video outputs, no RAM and no software.

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RiverCrochet 9 hours ago | parent | next [-]

If multiple network interfaces defines a router, then every cell phone is one, because every cell phone has a cellular and Wifi interface, and is a router in hotspot mode. Three interfaces if you count USB which can also be a network interface (hotspot works over USB in both Windows and Linux) and four if Bluetooth PAN is still a thing.

	▲	walterbell 8 hours ago \| parent [-]
		Speaking of phone companies, Apple will be manufacturing Mac Mini in USA. If Apple can make a Neo laptop out of phone parts, they could make a US Airport router out of US mini PC parts.

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reverius42 7 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

All routers ship with software.

(edit: and RAM!)

(edit: and NOT multiple video outputs!!)

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walterbell 6 hours ago | parent [-]

x86 multi NIC barebone fanless PC is not for routing, nope.

	▲	dmonitor 5 hours ago \| parent \| next [-]
		Who said anything about multiple NICs? Ethernet port and Wifi modem in AP mode are more than enough
	▲	reverius42 6 hours ago \| parent \| prev [-]
		It definitely could be! And some people do use it for that! (edit: but it's not considered a consumer grade router, that's for sure!)