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Definition

Gateway is a network point that act as entry point to other network and translates one data format to another.

Description

Following are some common functions of the gateway :

• Protocol translation: translates protocol format into required protocol format of the network, such as X.25 to TCP/IP.
• Network address translation: translates your public IP address to the private IP addresses on your network.
• DHCP service: automatically assigns IP address to a computer from a defined range of addresses for a given network.
• Monitoring and regulating each packet entering and leaving the network.

Uses

• To route the traffic from one network to another.
• To connect LAN to WAN or VPN (Virtual Private Network).
• Acts as a proxy server and firewall server to protect from virus, malware and harmful attacks.
• To keep history of accessed website, bandwidth usage, timing of each user of the network in a database.