Gateway vs. Router: Which One Do You Need for Your Network? Leave a comment

What is the difference between a gateway and a router? This question is often asked by network administrators and IT professionals, as both terms are widely used in network and security domains. In this article, we will discuss the differences between the two devices and how they work.

Firstly, let’s discuss the common features of gateways and routers. Both devices are used to regulate network traffic between two or more separate networks. This process involves attaching at least two network cards into the device and placing the device between the two networks you’re trying to regulate.

A router is a network device that forwards packets from one network to another. When a packet comes in through one port, the router reads the address information on the packet and determines the right destination, then uses routing table or routing policy to direct the packet to the next network or next hop. Routers work at the network layer (layer 3) of the protocol. They are capable of sending and receiving data packets between computer networks, also creating an overlay network. Routers provide additional features like DHCP server, NAT, Static Routing, and Wireless Networking/IPv6 address, Mac address, and Dynamic Routing.

A gateway, on the other hand, joins dissimilar systems. A network gateway converts packets from one protocol to another. The gateway functions as an entry/exit point to the network. Gateway it is defined as a network entity that allows a network to interface with another network with different protocols. The gateway can also allow the network to connect the computer to the internet.