Hardware vs Software Routing

A router can be defined as a device that connects two or more than two computer networks and selectively exchanges packets of data among them. Every packet data encompasses address information that a router can use to find out whether the destination and source are on the same network, or if the packet data must be transmitted from one network to another.

Through projecting routing needs and network traffic centered on the types and number of applications and hardware devices used in environment, one can better choose whether to use a software router, a hardware router, or a combination of both.

When talking about hardware and software router, there are numerous advantages hardware router has over software router. Few of them are mentioned below. Hardware router has higher throughput as compared to software router and computer solutions particularly Windows based.

Hardware router is very reliable and runs easily once you set it up and does not require any attention, while software router are unreliable and does not run easily (Haverkort, Bohnenkamp & Smith, 2000).

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Hardware-based routers handle heavy routing demands perfectly, whereas software routers can only handle lighter routing loads. Hardware router does not require a PC to be running to permit access for other computers.

In addition, hardware router does not contain any software or files that can be deleted, harmed, copied, stolen, etc. whereas, there is a risk in software router. A software router can be very perfect on a segmented and small network with comparatively light traffic between subnets as it cannot bear much load and traffic.

However, hardware-based routers can bear heavy traffic and enterprise network environments that have a huge quantity of network divisions and an extensive range of performance desires use range of hardware routers in order to perform various roles throughout the network.