5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Gateway in Networking | Drawbacks & Benefits of Gateway in Networking

What is Gateway ?

Gateway is a kind of networking device that interconnects two devices in different networks so that they can communicate with each other. In other words, it acts as a gate for another network. 

 

What is the use of Gateway ?

It contains both hardware and software components. The main purpose of gateway is to control routing of different networks. Routing control in essence means that all the traffic that flows through the transmission can be controlled accordingly. 

 

For their similar functioning it is sometimes associated with the router. Out of all the network connecting devices, gateway has found to be the '' Most Intelligent ''. However gateway aren't perfect, similar to other networking devices it has its own pros and cons. By looking at the advantages and disadvantages the users can ensure that this device will be best for the network. 

 

In this article, I will be exploring about 5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Gateway in Networking | Drawbacks & Benefits of Gateway in Networking. Through this post, you will know the pros and cons of using gateway.

 

Let's get started,

 

Advantages of Gateway

 

1. Connectivity

 

As mentioned earlier, the main benefit of gateway is the connectivity it provides. A gateway can expand the network by connecting computers with different systems together. Through this, same kind of information will be able to be accessed by different computers.

 

 

2. Security

 

Gateways are known to posses improved security since they allow user authentication. Forms of security such as User ID and Password can be imposed on gateway so that all the unwanted access will be prevented. This not only protects sensitive information, it also ensures that only the authorized users have access to the informations. 

 

 

3. Filtering Process

 

Filtering process is another important capability of a gateway. Without them, whatever the services that arrives at the gateway carries the risk of theft. Therefore, gateway performs the filtering process by inspecting each data packet that passed through the gateway.

 

 

4. Domain Control

 

When the number of Collision and Broadcast domain increases, the network provider can assure that they will be able to provide better bandwidth. A networking gateway has the capability to control collision as well as broadcast domain.

 

 

5. Protocol Conversion

 

Besides filtering, a gateway can also convert data packets according to the destination needs. If the destination network or architecture has different needs, it can also convert the data format accordingly. That is the reason why it is also called as the Protocol Converter.

 

Disadvantages of Gateway

 

1. Implementation

 

Generally gateways on default are installed on the routers itself. This makes it more difficult for the network administrators to install or configure them. Apart from this the cost involved in the implementation process is too high.

 

 

2. Configuration

 

Configuration of devices through a gateway is made even more difficult or impossible. There must be special system administration for this purpose.

 

 

3. Time Delay

 

Gateway networks always causes time delay since information must be translated. There is no way can a instant transfer take place. In addition to that, a gateway must also return old cache information that is not cleared properly. This can take more time resulting in time constraints. 

 

 

4. Connection Failure

 

If there are possibilities of failure occurring at the gateway, it can lead to communication loss. Devices on the opposite side will no longer be able to communicate until the problem is resolved. 

 

 

5. Troubleshooting

 

Computers on a network are with different protocols. Therefore, if there is any problem, each of these computers needed to be troubleshooted individually. This makes the process more complicated since different tools must be present.