The more functional model of connecting to the Internet involves establishing a link between your local network and the Internet, rather than providing Internet access to individual computers. To enable this model of connectivity you would use a device called an router. Large networks have sophisticated routers that manage multiple internal and external connections. Small networks typically use much simpler, scaled-down devices called access routers. An access router would have an Ethernet port that connects to your local network and another port that connects to the link to your ISP and is equipped with simplified routing software that can be easily configured.
Routers are devices that help networks connect efficiently.
We noted earlier that networks pass information in packets. A router examines each packet on the network and makes decisions about the quickest way to get it to its destination. Routers are protocol specific-different routing rules can be established for IP, IPX and the like. For Internet access, IP routing is all that is necessary. Even if you use IPX within your local network, you can use an IP-only access router, as long as your workstations support it.