Simply put, a router is a device used to forward data packets. Today’s routers are no longer bulky and have now been made available for mobile devices. A mobile hotspot router enables internet capable devices to get data connection through a wireless, portable device, thus providing on-the-spot internet connectivity. Regarded as the future of routers, mobile hostpot routers enable connectivity within a range of 30 to 33 feet and allow users to connect to several wi-fi enabled devices without the need for another router.
In 2015, more than 41 million units of mobile routers were shipped worldwide. According to analysts at Technavio, the global mobile hotspot routers market will record a CAGR of around 22% by 2020.
The technology that goes into making routers has come a long way. What started as a single CPU connectivity device, graduated to multi CPUs, then dedicated IP lookup chips, and finally fabrics of dedicated IP lookup chips. In short, routers have been redefined to respond to the changing demands of connectivity and latest advancements in technology. Today’s routers also no longer require a computer to be set up.
The future of routers
Change in design
Routers will undergo significant change in design in the coming years. As the world continues to go digital and the Internet of Things (IoT) becomes an everyday requirement, an immense amount of research is being conducted to determine better router designs. Better design means high speed route lookup, advances in switching fabrics, and increased speed of output queues.
Improved scheduling
One critical issue that routers face is the loss of data packets. The latest research has determined that this can be avoided if the output port of the router provides buffers in which excess arriving packets can be stored. This way the discrepancy between the speed of the input port and output port can is mitigated. Not only does this save on data packets, but it also helps improve bandwidth allocation. Additionally, by creating partitions for link capacity among different types of users, the data can be scheduled in a more efficient manner. The end-result is the smooth operation of data packets with minimal loss and no congestion in data transfer.
No route lookups
The cost of route lookups has always hindered the use of Wi-Fi routers, but with the advent of devices like backbone routers, the cost has been substantially reduced. These routers have an additional level of routing hierarchy into the system, which reduces the size of the routing tables, thereby decreasing congestion and the number of route lookups.
Router manufacturers are working to simplify configurations so that routers are more user-friendly. Moreover, accountability, flexibility and centralized administration are other qualities to look for in routers in the coming years.
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