Difference between Router and Brouter

What is Router?

The router is a networking device that is mainly used to transmit the data over a computer network. The router sends the data from one point to another in the form of packets. It sends the data, like email, files, etc., from one router to another router until it reaches the target node, and it creates an internetwork of the routers. The router is basically connected to multiple data lines, and when it receives any data packets in any line, it reads all its details and stores them in its router table. The router makes sure what would be the next router for the particular data packet so that it reaches the destination easily. The router connects the Local Area Network with Wide Area Network. We generally use routers at our homes to connect to the internet.

Software used to run a router has two functionalities which are called planes and are discussed below:

Control Plane

A router has a routing table in which there are different routes maintained to which data will be transferred, and it also maintains the physical interface used for the data transfer. There can be static or dynamic routes in the routing table. This information is transferred to the forward lane by the control plane for data transmission.

Forward Plane

It manages the data packets received as input and forwards it as output. FIB( Forwarding Information Base) received from the control plane is used to determine the destination of the current packet and forward plane transfer it to the destination. It writes the destination address in the header of the packet to send it to the correct destination location.

What is Brouter?

Brouter is made from two words which are bridge and router. It means this device is capable of working as a router as well as a bridge. So this means it forwards the data as a bridge and as a router depending upon its configuration. Brouter works in the data link layer if it is configured for non-routing protocols and in the network layer if it is configured for routing protocols. Brouters are generally connecting devices, so when it is configured as a router, it is used in internetworking, and when it is set as a bridge, it is used in the network as a connecting device. For routing protocols, it is a router, and for non-routable protocols, it is set as a bridge.

Following is a list of key differences between Routers and Brouter:

Router	Brouter
In the OSI model, it is operating in the network layer.	In the OSI model, the brouter is operating in either the network layer or into the data link layer.
The router is a device that is used to transfer the data in the form of packets from one layer to another in the computer networks.	Brouter is a device in the computer networks which works as a router and a bridge. So, we can say it is the combination of a bridge and router.
Data is transmitted in the form of packets using a router.	Since the brouter has dual properties, it sends the data in the form of packets if it is configured as a router. If it is configured as a bridge, then it sends the data in the form of frames.
The router table is stored by the router device.	When the brouter is used as a router, it stores the router table, and when it is configured as a bridge, it stores the MAC (Media Access Control) address.
The router works on multiple broadcast domains.	When the brouter is used as a router, it works on multiple domains, and if it is working as a bridge then it only works on a single broadcast domain.
The forwarding decision is taken upon the IP (Internet Protocol) address in the router.	Brouter takes forwarding decisions upon the IP address when it is set as a router. When the brouter is configured as a bridge, it takes the forwarding decision upon MAC (Media Access Control) address.
The router is a full duplex device.	Brouter is a full duplex when it is working as a router and a half duplex when it is configured as a bridge.