1. Network interconnection: Routers support various LAN and WAN interfaces, which are mainly used for interconnection of LAN and WAN to realize communication between different networks;

2. Data processing: providing functions including packet filtering, packet forwarding, priority, multiplexing, encryption, compression, firewall, etc.

Third, network management: routers provide functions including router configuration management, performance management, fault-tolerant management, traffic control and so on.

Router is one of the most basic network devices in the Internet. A router is a network device that connects multiple networks or network segments. It can "translate" data information between different networks or network segments, so that they can "read" each other's data and form a larger network. Routers have two typical functions, namely, data channel function and control function. Data channel functions include forwarding decision, backplane forwarding and output link scheduling, which are generally completed by specific hardware; Control functions are generally realized by software, including information exchange with neighboring routers, system configuration, system management and so on.

To explain the concept of router, we should first introduce what is routing. The so-called "routing" refers to the behavior and action of transmitting data from one place to another, and the router is the machine that performs this behavior and action.