It also helps you to handle multiple networks and routes network traffic between them. In your home network, your router has one connection to the Internet and one connection to your private local network. Moreover, many routers also contain built-in switches that allow you to connect multiple wired devices.
What is a Switch?
A network switch is a computer networking device which connects various devices together on a single computer network. It may also be used to route information in the form of electronic data sent over networks. Since the process of linking network segments is also called bridging, switches are usually referred to as bridging devices.
How Router Works?
A router connects multiple networks and tracks network traffic between them. It has one connection to the internet and one connection to your private local network. Moreover, many routers contain built-in switches that allow you to connect multiple wired devices. Many routers also contain wireless radios that allows you to connect Wi-Fi devices.
How Switch work?
A network switch is also called bridging hub, switching, or MAC bridge. Switches devices use MAC addresses to forward data to the right destination. Operating system at the data link layer uses packet switching to receive, process, and forward data. A switch offers support to handle the data and knows the particular addresses to send the message. It can decide which computer is the message intended for and send the message directly to the right computer. The efficiency of the switch can be improved by providing a faster network speed.
Difference between Router and Switch
Here are some important differences between the Router and Switch:
Applications of Router
Here, are important applications of Router:
Creates a local area network(LAN). It allows you to split your internet connection to all of your devices. Connect different media/devices with each other Run a firewall. The routers determine where to send information from one computer to another Packet Forwarding, Switching, and filtering. Router also makes sure that information does make it to the intended destination. Connect to a VPN
Applications of Switches
Some applications of switches are:
A switch helps you to manage the flow of data across the network. Medium to large-sized LANs containing a number of linked managed switches. Switches are widely used in SOHO(Small Office/Home Office) applications. SOHO mostly uses a single switch to access the various broadband services. It is used in a computer network to connect the devices together physically. A switch can transfer data to any of the other devices, either using half-duplex mode or full-duplex mode.
Advantages of Router
Here, are some pros/benefits of Router:
It helps to share a network connection with multiple machines that increases productivity. A router allows delivering the packets of data in an organized way, which helps to lower the data load. Router offers a steady and reliable connection between network hosts. Routers make use of the alternative parts in case the main part fails to transfer data packets.
Advantages of Switch
Here, are pros/benefits of using Switch
It helps you to reduce the number of broadcast domains. Supports VLAN’s that can help in Logical segmentation of ports Switches can make use of CAM table for Port to MAC mapping
Disadvantages of Router
Here, are cons/drawback of Router:
Connections can become slow when multiple computers are using a network. This situation is described as a connection wait. A router helps multiple computers to share the same network, which may lower the speed.
Disadvantages of Switch
Here, are cons/drawbacks of using Switch:
Not as good as a router for limiting broadcasts Communication between VLANs requires inter VLAN routing, but these days, there are many multilayer switches available in the market. Handling multicast packets that requires quite a bit of configuration & proper designing. It helps to reduce the number of broadcast domains.
