What Is an Edge Router?

Edge routers, also known as "access routers", are routers located at the periphery (edge) of the network. The router at the center of the network is called the core router. Edge routers and core routers are relative concepts. They both belong to routers, but have different sizes and capacities. A core router at one layer is an edge router at another layer.

edge

along with

When evaluating edge routers, at least the following technical parameters should be checked.

The future IP network will bear the services carried by today's multiple parallel networks. Edge routers are the entrance and exit of these business data. Its efficiency directly affects the operation level of the entire network. In this area where user needs are sensitive, developers need to continue to innovate. Only by firmly grasping the needs of the market and the direction of technological development, can they survive forever on the edge of the network. ^[3]

At one time, people thought that the greater the data traffic of routers, the better and the more ports the stronger. However, with the increase in the types and requirements of services, the control of services and the ability to differentiate and integrate services have become the clearest development directions for edge routers. ^[4]

First of all, supporting access to multiple broadband services has become a prerequisite for network access. Under the general trend of "three networks in one", as a marginalized access device, it should have video, voice, and data access functions. At the same time, it has both QoS skills and can well sense network changes and control network traffic. Provide high-quality access to the network. In addition, as operators' requirements for IPv6 technology become clearer and more relevant in the construction of networks, relevant standards are also being formed, and IPv6 support from edge routers is also very realistic. ^[4]

Secondly, the convergence of the network finally falls on the functional integration and performance improvement of equipment including edge routers. With the change of network structure and business requirements, edge network equipment no longer means simplicity and low-end. Instead, it combines more and more new technologies and has become "from the open Internet to operable and manageable The key to telecom bearer network transformation. " In the past, to provide integrated services between carrier-level and end-user networks, multiple edge routers were often required. This not only caused waste of hardware costs, but also brought great difficulties in functional integration and operation and maintenance. Large router vendors have now integrated many functions into one "box", hoping to have an edge router that can provide more business control and support capabilities. ^[4]