Cisco Router Modes

1) User Exec Mode ( >)
2) Privileged Mode (#) which has as a subset, the Global Configuration mode and Specific Configuration mode

Global Configuration mode - To make changes globally.  (Config)#
Specific Configuration mode - Used to make specific configuration.  (Config-if)#

Routers

A router is a device that forwards data packets between computer networks, creating an overlay internetwork. A router is connected to two or more data lines from different networks.

Hardware routers are dedicated hardware that run special software created by their vendors to give them the routing capabilities, plus a whole lot more functions. Hardware routers a most common amongst companies as they are faster and more reliable. In the earlier days, hardware routers would start from a couple of hundred dollars, however their prices today are extremely low for cheaper-brand models.

Software routers perform similar tasks as the above hardware routers (route data), but they don't come in small flashy boxes. A software router could be an Windows , Linux or Novell NetWare server. All network servers have built-in routing capabilities.