Router Parts Explained: How to Identify Your Router's Components

What is a router made of?

A home router is a small computer built to pass network traffic between your devices and the internet. Like any computer, it has a processor, memory and software. It also has a set of sockets, buttons and lights on the outside, and usually antennas for Wi-Fi.

This guide goes through those parts one at a time: what you can see on the case, what is inside, and how to find out exactly which router you have. Layouts vary a lot between brands, so treat the descriptions as general and check your own router’s label or manual when something looks different.

The back panel: ports and sockets

Most of the parts you will actually use are on the back (sometimes the underside or side) of the router.

WAN or Internet port

This is the port that connects the router to your internet source, such as a cable modem, a fiber box (what an ONT is) or an ISP gateway. It is often labelled “WAN” or “Internet” and is frequently a different color from the others, though not always. Our guide to the WAN port on a router covers it in detail.

LAN ports

Most consumer routers have several LAN ports, commonly four, grouped together and sometimes numbered. These connect wired devices such as a desktop PC, game console, smart TV or printer. See LAN ports on a router for what they do and how to add more. The WAN and LAN ports use the same style of socket (RJ-45), so they look alike. The label is the reliable way to tell them apart.

USB port

Some routers include one or more USB ports for sharing a drive or a printer over the network. Not every model has one, and what it supports depends on the router’s software. More in what you can do with a router’s USB port.

Power socket and power switch

A round barrel connector (or sometimes USB-C) takes power from the supplied adapter. Some routers also have an on/off switch next to it. Use the adapter that came with the router, since different adapters can have different voltages.

Reset button

Usually a small recessed hole you press with a paperclip. A short press or a long press can mean different things depending on the model, and a long press commonly restores factory settings, which erases your Wi-Fi name, password and other configuration. Check your manual before pressing it.

Other buttons

You may also see a WPS button (a quick way to connect some devices), a Wi-Fi on/off button or an LED on/off button. Which of these exist varies by model.

The front: status lights

Most routers have indicator lights, often for power, internet, Wi-Fi and wired connections. The colors and blink patterns differ between manufacturers, so the router’s own documentation is the best guide to what each one means. Our overview of what the lights on your router mean covers the common patterns.

Antennas

Some routers have external antennas, which are often adjustable or removable, while others hide them inside the case. External antennas do not always mean better coverage; the router’s design and placement matter more than whether the antennas are visible.

What is inside the router

Open a router (not something you need to do) and you would find the same kinds of parts as in a basic computer:

• CPU (processor): runs the router’s software and handles tasks such as routing, firewall rules and Wi-Fi management. Many routers also use dedicated chips to speed up common work.
• RAM: temporary working memory. What is held in RAM is lost when the router loses power.
• Flash storage: holds the router’s firmware (its operating system) and, typically, your saved settings, so they survive a restart.
• Wireless radios: the chips that handle Wi-Fi, often one for each band the router supports.
• Network switch chip: lets the LAN ports talk to each other and to the router.

Enterprise Cisco-style routers also describe parts such as ROM and NVRAM. On a home router these details are usually hidden from you, but the idea is the same: some memory is temporary, and some keeps its contents without power.

How to identify which router you have

If you want to know the make and model:

1. Check the label. It is usually on the underside or back and often lists the model number, serial number, and sometimes the default Wi-Fi name and admin login.
2. Look at the logo and case. The brand is often printed on the top or front.
3. Check the admin page. If you can log in, the model and firmware version are often shown on the status or about page.
4. Ask your ISP. If the router was supplied by your provider, it may be listed in your account or on their support pages.
5. Look at the box or invoice if you still have them.

Once you have the model number, searching it with “manual” or “specifications” should show you the port list, supported Wi-Fi standards and what the lights mean.

How to identify devices connected to your router

Another common question is which devices are using your router. Log in to the router’s admin page and look for a section named something like “Connected devices”, “Device list” or “Attached devices”. It usually shows each device’s name, IP address and MAC address. If you cannot get in to the admin page at all, see where to find your router password and login. Names can be generic, so comparing against the MAC address listed in your phone or computer’s network settings is a reliable way to confirm an unfamiliar entry.

Quick reference

Where to go next

If a cable is plugged in but nothing happens, see our guide to a Netgear router not recognizing an Ethernet cable. If your router is far from the devices you want to wire up, read what to do when the router is too far for Ethernet.