Router vs. Firewall - Check Point Software (2024)

What is a Router?

A router is a networking device used to help route traffic from source to destination. Routers have an upstream port and multiple downstream ports, and route traffic originating from one port to the appropriate destination port. This includes routing traffic between machines within the subnet and routing traffic between internal and external machines.

Routers primarily route traffic at Layer 3 (Network) of the OSI model, though they do operate at Layer 1 (Physical) and Layer 2 (Data Link) as well. A router will have IP addresses assigned to each of its ports and will route traffic to the appropriate port based on the destination address specified within a network packet.

Routers are the backbone of the Internet as well as of private, internal networks. When traveling from point A to point B, a network packet is likely to make multiple hops from one router to the next while traversing the Internet or a large private network.

What is a Firewall?

A firewall is a solution that defines and protects network boundaries. Firewalls are deployed at the edge of the network — where it connects to another network — and all traffic flows through the firewall for inspection and filtering. For instance organizations often have a perimeter firewall to segment internal networks and assets of an organization from the Internet.

Firewalls work based on predefined firewall rules. The rules use the packet’s header — and potentially its contents — to determine whether or not it should be permitted to enter or leave the network. For example, a firewall may be configured to block traffic to or from certain IP ranges, restrict inbound network connections, or prevent certain network protocols from entering or leaving the corporate network.

Firewalls are important to an organization’s cybersecurity program because they can block potential inbound threats and outbound data exfiltration. Firewalls come in a variety of forms, including stateless and stateful firewalls — which make decisions based solely on IP address and port in packet headers — and next-generation firewalls (NGFWs), which incorporate additional functions — such as an intrusion prevention system (IPS) — and can identify malicious content in the body of a network packet.

The Difference Between Firewalls and Routers

Firewalls and routers are both essential components of an organization’s network infrastructure. However, they are different systems with very different functions.

A router is a tool for networking. Routers make up much of the backbone of the Internet, connecting networks together and routing traffic between them. A router has no security capabilities, it is solely intended to help a network packet travel from point A to point B.

Firewalls, on the other hand, are security solutions designed to help protect the organization against cyber threats. All traffic flowing through a firewall is inspected and evaluated against predefined rules. Based on these rules, the firewall will decide to either allow the packet to continue on to its destination or block the attempted connection.

NGFW with Check Point

Routers and firewalls are both critical components of an organization’s network infrastructure. Routers link networks together and help to direct network traffic from its source to its intended destination. Firewalls, on the other hand, are security appliances designed to protect a private network against external cyber threats.

NGFWs are firewalls that incorporate a range of security capabilities, including both deep packet inspection and networking functions. In fact, most NGFWs incorporate routing functionality, enabling them to replace a standalone router at the boundary of a private network. When used as a combined firewall and router, an NGFW will inspect a packet’s headers and contents, evaluate it against its predefined rulesets, and then use the IP address included in the packet header to send the traffic out the port that will take it to its intended destination.

An NGFW has the ability to dramatically simplify and improve an organization’s network security by integrating multiple network and security functions in a single solution. For example, NGFWs integrate intrusion prevention (IPS), enabling them to identify and block malicious content contained within the body of a network packet. To learn more about what to look for in an NGFW, check out this buyer’s guide to NGFWs.

Check Point is a pioneer in the firewall space and has developed NGFW solutions that provide enterprise-grade networking and security support for enterprises. To learn more about Check Point’s NGFWs and find out which option is the best fit for your organization’s needs, sign up for a free demo today.