what is a router

[gav_69]

strange question but im new, how do i know if i have a router or not. im using windows xp sp2. i have caymen netopia 3300 external modem, 2mb connection. the thing im having problems using the bitorrents my download speed is never great and ive tried opening ports and all that stuff. so all i can think of is im behind a router and i dont know. if that any an ounce of sense. thanks for any help

[whoeverxxx]

After reading your post a number of different things came to mind but I'm not going to try to guess at your problem without more detail. I suggest doing a Google search on the problem or posting this question on a good P.C. tech forum.

This is what a router is;
On the Internet, a router is a device or, in some cases, software in a computer, that determines the next network point to which a packet should be forwarded toward its final destination. The router is connected to at least two networks and decides which way to send each information packet based on its current understanding of the state of the networks it is connected to. A router is located at any juncture of networks or gateway, including each Internet point-of-presence. A router is often included as part of a network switch.

A router creates or maintains a table of the available routes and their conditions and uses this information along with distance and cost algorithms to determine the best route for a given packet. Typically, a packet may travel through a number of network points with routers before arriving at its destination.