Gateways are network hardware devices used to connect two different networks.

What is a Gateway?

Gateways are network nodes that enable the connection of different networks. Even if these networks use different protocols, the gateway converts the data traffic to ensure communication. Thus, gateways are crucial network hardware for facilitating communication between different types of networks.

You can think of gateways as doors or bridges at the entry points of a network. All incoming and outgoing data passes through these gateways. Gateways continuously monitor network traffic and are used for tasks such as converting and filtering data traffic to different protocols.

Features of Gateways

Gateways are one of the most important nodes in networks due to their tasks and features. Some of the features of gateways include:

• Gateways enable communication between networks using different communication protocols by acting as protocol converters.
• Positioned at the edge points of networks, gateways control incoming and outgoing traffic.
• They can function as firewalls, proxy servers, IoT connection points, and more.
• While gateways are often specialized hardware, their tasks can also be performed through software.

Types of Gateways

Gateways can be classified into two main categories based on data transmission methods and purposes. Based on the direction of data flow, gateways are divided into unidirectional and bidirectional.

1. Unidirectional Gateways: These gateways allow data to be transmitted in only one direction. They are used to transfer data from the source node to the target network node. This ensures no data flows back into the network, contributing to its security.
2. Bidirectional Gateways: These gateways allow data to be transmitted in both directions, enabling data transfer between source and target nodes.

Based on their purposes, gateways can be further classified into various types, including:

• Network Gateways: These gateways function as network gateways, facilitating communication between two networks using different protocols.
• IoT Gateways: IoT devices are diverse and continuously collect data through their sensors. IoT gateways aggregate data from all these devices. The gateway organizes this data and transmits it to users' devices via the internet or local network.
• Cloud Storage Gateways: These gateways are used to collect data from various sources through different protocols, store it in the cloud, and provide access when needed.
• VoIP Gateways: VoIP is a service used for making and receiving calls over the internet. VoIP gateways enable communication between two different networks.

Gateways, whose primary purpose is to connect two or more different networks, are among the most critical nodes in networks. They regulate data ingress and egress and enable networks using different communication protocols to work together."