What is the difference between switch and a router?

Question

What is the difference between switch and a router?

Answer 1

A switch will share equally the connexion.Each client has the same amount of resources.Example: Internet connexion is 100kb.2 clients connected to a switch will have each 50kb (if they use need those).But if a third one comes up, he will have 33,3 and so on.It is used in local networks to share resources,where Internet isn't present.

  In a router (and routers could have switch integrated) could share a Internet connexion between clients,it could open/block certain ports,give a specific IP address to a client,limit his bandwidth,limit Internet connexion between certain hours etc etc.

  There could be a ADSL modem integrated in a router,also wifi (wifi witch will work with the same principle like a switch)

Answer 2

A router is a more sophisticated network device than either a switch or a hub. Like hubs and switches, network routers are typically small, box-like pieces of equipment that multiple computers can connect to. Each features a number of "ports" the front or back that provide the connection points for these computers, a connection for electric power, and a number of LED lights to display device status. While routers, hubs and switches all share similiar physical appearance, routers differ substantially in their inner workings.

Traditional routers are designed to join multiple area networks (LANs and WANs). On the Internet or on a large corporate network, for example, routers serve as intermediate destinations for network traffic. These routers receive TCP/IP packets, look inside each packet to identify the source and target IP addresses, then forward these packets as needed to ensure the data reaches its final destination.

Routers for home networks (often called broadband routers) also can join multiple networks. These routers are designed specifically to join the home (LAN) to the Internet (WAN) for the purpose of Internet connection sharing. In contrast, neither hubs nor switches are capable of joining multiple networks or sharing an Internet connection. A home network with only hubs and switches must designate one computer as the gateway to the Internet, and that device must possess two network adapters for sharing, one for the home LAN and one for the Internet WAN. With a router, all home computers connect to the router equally, and it performs the equivalent gateway functions.

Additionally, broadband routers contain several features beyond those of traditional routers. Broadband routers provide DHCP server and proxy support, for example. Most of these routers also offer integrated firewalls. Finally, wired Ethernet broadband routers typically incorporate a built-in Ethernet switch. These routers allow several hubs or switches to be connected to them, as a means to expand the local network to accomodate more Ethernet devices.

In home networking, hubs and switches technically exist only for wired networks. Wi-Fi wireless routers incorporate a built-in access point that is roughly equivalent to a wired switch.

*Courtesy of about.com*

Couldn't have said it better myself. hehehe

Answer 3

" Routers for home networks (often called broadband routers) also can join multiple networks. These routers are designed specifically to join the home (LAN) to the Internet (WAN) for the purpose of Internet connection sharing. In contrast, neither hubs nor switches are capable of joining multiple networks or sharing an Internet connection."

Thank you for this Sick_Do

Very clear.

^j^

Answer 4

a switch has intelligent routing and about 48 ports for 48 computers - more for business use.

Router, connects two networks, well share one network on another network...

Answer 5

switch is layer 2 device routeris layer 3 device.

switch breaks collision domains router breaks broadcast domain

router used for connecting diffent lans together switch used for connecting different collision domain together

Answer 6

More specifically, a switch manages traffic at Layer 2. It forwards traffic to a specific port by reading from the ARP and Mac-Address-Tables. Only traffic destined for a port will be sent to it. Switches limit collision domains.

Routers are layer 3 devices that forward traffic based upon routing tables. These tables can be built by varying methods including wan protocols (ospf, igrp, etc.) or static routes or connected interfaces. These devices allow traffic between LANs or broadcast domains.

Consumer grade routers, or broadband routers, are a hybrid device. They are usually more akin to a traditional firewall. They provide ACL capability, NAT, and usually provide a wireless access point nowadays.

Answer 7

A switch is a big thing which will have 25-50  Ethernet ports, which you can connect that many PCs upto it.

A Router will only allow maybe four PCs to be connected to it.

Answer 8

A switch will essentially repeat all the traffic coming in to all of the devices connected to it (there are exceptions to this). A switch is also usually transparent. Computers can "see" thru a switch.

A router can be more selective. It will only repeat traffic down the line to devices connected to it if that traffic is intended for that network. Also a router may filter traffic to keep out traffic from other networks that you do not want to allow through.

A router may be set up to be opaque, meaning that computers outside your network will not be able to see what is inside your network.

There are more detailed descriptions of both switches and routers on Wikipedia.org. Search for "Network Switch" and "Network Router".