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2 pages/≈550 words
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APA
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Technology
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Coursework
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English (U.S.)
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Topic:

Components of a Router

Coursework Instructions:

Router CPU and Memory Although there are several different types and models of routers, every router has the same general hardware components.

Depending on the model, those components are located in different places inside the router. Figure 6 shows the inside of a Cisco1841 router.

Figure 6. Hardware Components of a Router Similar to a PC, a router also includes CPU RAM ROM Flash memory NVRAM CPU The CPU executes operating system instructions, such as system initialization, routing functions, and network interface control. RAM Similar to other computers, RAM stores the instructions and data needed to be executed by the CPU. RAM is volatile memory and loses its contents when the router is powered down or restarted. For this reason, the router also contains permanent storage areas such as ROM, flash, and NVRAM. ROM ROM is a form of permanent storage.

Cisco devices use ROM to store Bootstrap instructions Basic diagnostic software Scaled-down version of IOS ROM uses firmware, which is software embedded inside the integrated circuit. Firmware, such as the bootup instructions, does not normally need to be modified or upgraded. Many of these features, including ROM monitor software, will be discussed in a later course.

ROM does not lose its contents when the router loses power or is restarted. Flash Memory Flash memory is nonvolatile computer memory that can be electrically erased and reprogrammed. Flash is used as permanent storage for the operating system. Internetwork Operating System (IOS) The operating system software used in Cisco routers is known as Cisco Internetwork Operating System (IOS).

Like any operating system on any other computer, Cisco IOS Software is responsible for managing the hardware and software resources of the router, including allocating memory, managing processes and security, and managing file systems.

Cisco IOS is a multitasking operating system that is integrated with routing, switching, internetworking, and telecommunications functions. To learn more about packet forwarding, check the following sites: Router hardware components (http://www(dot)juniper(dot)net/techpubs/en_US/junos13.1/topics/concept/junos-software-routing-platforms-hardware-components.html) Cisco device hardware components (http://computernetworkingnotes(dot)com/cisco-devices-administration-and-configuration/router-booting-process.html) Cisco Internetwork Operating System (http://www(dot)cisco(dot)com/en/US/products/sw/iosswrel/ps1818/products_tech_note09186a008015083e.shtml) CCNA router and IOS basics (http://www(dot)slideshare(dot)net/dsunte/ccna-router-and-ios-basics) Assignment You are required to review the SLP materials and conduct your own research (at least three additional sources of materials. Please be sure to use appropriate citations for materials that you collect on your own), in your own words, please write a 2- to 3-page paper (excluding the cover page and reference page) to describe the hardware and software components of a router, and how the router stores the OS while running. You may pick one kind of router, e.g. one of Cisco 1800 series router. SLP Assignment Expectations Your paper should be between two and three pages. You are expected to understand the components of a router. Upload your assignment when it is finished.

Coursework Sample Content Preview:

Components of a Router
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Components of a Router
Introduction
A router is a type of computer with basic components similar to those of a standard desktop PC (Pearson Education, Informit, 2015). The routers are made to perform some specific functions that desktops cannot perform. Routers are important as they provide local network connections, packet filtering, connections for wide area network (WAN) and traffic control (Liu, 2009). Routers also function at the OSI model of reference network layer since through addressing the network layer, packets can be connected directly by routers to local as well as remote segments. A router also connects and provides communication for two networks and identifies the best avenue for the movement of data through the two networks that are connected (Liu, 2009).
Components of a router
The components of a router include the ROM, flash memory, NVRAM, RAM and interfaces (Cisco System Inc, 2003). Flash memory is a computer memory of a router; it is nonvolatile and can be erased electrically and be reprogrammed. It is used in the operating system as a permanent storage. When the router is rebooted, the flash memory content is still maintained (Pearson Education, Informit, 2015). The current Cisco IOS working copy is contained in the flash memory. Flash memory acts as an element for the IOS initialization for the router’s normal operations (McMillan, 2012).
ROM is an element of a router that stands for read-only memory and is in the permanent storage form (Pearson Education, Informit, 2015). The function of the ROM is to load the program of bootstrap for the basic hardware components of a router initialization (McMillan, 2012). ROM content is still maintained even on rebooting of the router. Firmware is used in ROM and it runs when a router is rebooted or turned on (Pearson Education, Informit, 2015).
RAM is a volatile hardware element of a ro...
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