Networking Guide : Network Components

Residential Gateway

Residential gateway is basically a router that is configured to enable the sharing of a single Internet connection (subscription) by multiple users in a home network. However when you buy a residential gateway, it most likely incorporates other functions such as hub, switch, wireless access point, or bridge. Some residential gateways also already include broadband (cable/DSL) modem.

Residential Gateway
Picture: Residential Gateway
Residential gateway hides a home network from the Internet.

By using a residential gateway to connect your home network to the Internet, you don't need to always turn on a computer as an ICS host.
With a residential gateway, you don't have to manually set an IP address for each computer in your network because a residential gateway usually has DHCP server. Using DHCP, IP address for each computer is assigned dynamically by the residential gateway.
A residential gateway also keeps your computers anonymous on the Internet because it translates the IP address of each computer to an IP address assigned by the ISP. This function is called Network Address Translation (NAT).
Besides, a residential gateway protects your home network from intruders that try to gain access through certain applications in your computers because it has built-in firewall.
Residential gateway is also known as broadband router or Internet gateway device (IGD).

Gateway

Gateway functions to connect two completely different networks. It performs protocol translation. Although gateway is considered a Layer 7 device in many publications, it actually works across the seven layers of the OSI Model. In Internet Telephony, a gateway connects the VoIP network to the PSTN.

Gateway
Picture: Gateway
VoIP/PSTN Gateway performs protocols and signaling translation,
so a VoIP-enabled phone or PC can communicate with a regular phone.

 
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