A hardware device that routes (hence the name) data from a local area network (LAN) to phone lines or another connection. Routers act like a coin sorting machine, allowing only authorized machines to send data through a LAN so that private information can remain secure. Well, at least it's sort of like a coin machine... Routers also handle errors and keep statistics about what's going on in the network.
ROUTER
Meaning of ROUTER in English
English glossary of computer and Internet terms. Английский глоссарий компьютерных и Интернет терминов. 2012