👉 Router computing refers to the capability of network routers to perform computing tasks beyond their primary function of forwarding data packets between networks. Traditionally, routers are designed to efficiently manage network traffic by making routing decisions and forwarding packets based on predefined rules. However, modern routers have evolved to incorporate processing power and memory, allowing them to handle complex computations, such as encryption/decryption, data compression, and even small applications. This expanded functionality enables routers to provide additional services like content caching, security features (e.g., intrusion detection), and Quality of Service (QoS) management, effectively acting as mini-computers within the network infrastructure. This integration enhances network efficiency, security, and performance by offloading some processing tasks from dedicated servers or devices.
