1. Different Meanings

Gateway: An important device for data transfer between different devices with different network protocols. The gateway acts as a translator between two systems that use different communication protocols, data formats, languages, or even have completely different architectures, thus enabling data dialogue and control of the devices.

Router: A device that connects the local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN), and serves as a bridge for network connection. It will automatically select and set routes according to the network conditions, and send signals in the order of the best path, so as to realize the unimpeded network data in the area. Simply put, it is to assume the role of logistics center, to distribute different kinds of express to different users.

2. Different Functions

Gateway: A device can be regarded as an enhanced version of router, with functions such as device networking, data acquisition, protocol analysis, and the support of new technologies such as edge computing and cloud computing. Its powerful functions and protocol adaption make it more widely used in industrial fields, such as smart factory, sewage treatment, energy monitoring and so on. Hongdian representative products are Z1, Z2, X2 and other 5G cellular gateways with protocol resolution functions.

Router: A device can be used in life, industry and business. Now, almost every household has a router and the main function is to connect the device to the network so that all kinds of devices can enjoy the convenience of network connection. Routers are more widely used in industry. Industrial routers usually have a strong industrial design and can run stably in harsh environments. To adapt to various environments, they usually provide a cellular network version and support advanced routing functions such as VPN, DDNS, and GRE. Hongdian representative products are H8951, H8922S, H8923S and other cellular routers with VPN function and simple serial connection function.

3. Different Usages

Gateway: It has some of the same functions as a router, switch, or industrial computer. The gateway does not need to be involved in the communication within the same network segment. Only when the host communicates with devices not on the same network segment, all data packets need to be sent to the gateway for forwarding or the router processing through gateways. The received data can be of different protocols from different devices and is uniformly converted to network protocols by the gateway for forwarding.

Router: It is a network layer system. Routers in the current market is generally divided into two categories, one is single-protocol router, the other is multi-protocol router. Routers can carry out data format conversion and become different from the protocol between the network interconnection necessary equipment.

4. Different Performance & Interfaces

Gateway: It can be used as a high-performance router. Generally, high-performance gateways support several times more devices than routers, even tens of times. The gateway has rich interfaces. It is used to connect various devices, so that devices that do not apply network protocols can also be connected to realize intelligent control and management.

Router: It supports a small number of devices connected to the Internet, usually a few to a dozen. However, as the level of technology improves, so does the number of devices supported. Generally, routers only have network interfaces. In industrial scenarioses, routers also provide serial port functions such as RS232 and RS485.

Through this, I hope you all have learned some of the differences between the gateway and the router.