Difference between Firewall & router.

Hello Everyone,

What is the difference between a firewall and a router? The reason why I ask is that, I am using the AIM audio & video to communicate. When I am using the router, I am able to communicate through the router without opening any ports. But, when I use a firewall I have to open the ports specific to that service. Why is that?

hi

well at a basic level, routers differ from firewalls in a way that a router routes packets destined to another network. it is the gateway so that two or more networks could communicate with one another while a firewall on the other hand is more of a security device that inhibits inbound or outbound traffics base on the network's preferences.

well you are able to use your services when using the router since this is what a router does it forwards your request to the appropriate destination, however, when using the firewall as your means of communication, although, it acts as a router, but its main features is security and in this case, by default, it has its security features on making sure that any traffic either inbound are outbound are filtered through it preventing your network from any harm from the outside.

hope this helps...

Might want to think of a router as an intersection with a traffic cop, and the firewall as a gate with a guard (like on borders)