

So, there are some special operating systems that are specifically designed to run on this type of router, and most are Linux-based. A router does not need to run this kind of heavy OS because it would not make sense. So what kind of OS can these special routers run? Windows, Mac? Of course not. I will talk further about these routers later in this blog. These routers are different from traditional routers in hardware because these routers equip a CPU, RAM, and sometimes internal storage.

For this purpose, you do not need to run any OS on the router or have a router with good hardware.īut, can a router run an OS? Well.there are some special routers in the market with the ability to install an OS on them. This is because the primary role of traditional routers at home is simply to coordinate connections and forward data to Ethernet-connected devices or WiFi-connected devices. If I ask you whether the router provided by your ISP (Internet Service Provider) can run an OS (Operating System), your answer would probably be “NO”. Thus, each device can be identified and managed individually. For instance, it is responsible for assigning IP addresses to incoming connection requests, typically through DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol).

To achieve this, devices are connected to the router either through a network cable like ethernet or over a wireless connection like WiFi, As a result, local devices not only gain access to the Internet but can also communicate with each other through the router – hence the term “Local Network”.Ī router is very much the “administrator” of this local network and plays an important role in managing connected devices. A router’s purpose is to serve as the bridge between the two networks, which is done by forwarding data packets that need to be transmitted “across borders”.
