What is the difference b/w a networking router and switch?

Question

Definition of switch:
Network bridge that processes and routes data

Definition of Router:
a networking device that routes and forwards information.

Answer 1

a router can assign and translate internet addresses it allows your computer to properly communicate with the cloud ( world internet ) a router is considered a layer 3 device



a switch routes the data after the router efficiently to each computer. a switch does not assign IP addresses.



it all relies on the OSI layers, read about them here: http://computer.howstuffworks.com/osi.htm

Answer 2

I think she wanted to know the difference because she posted 2 similar definitions that absolutely wrong...



A Router is a device that routes information... it contains all the information needed to do NAT... basically it handles non-routable IPs, and NAT allows the real IP on the outside of the network to be shared with as many computers as possible...



A switch has absolutely 100% no ability to do routing... unless... of course you have a very advanced switch, like a Cisco Catalyst, where you can get a card to do the routing... but by definition the catalyst is a switch...



But typically, unless you are very smart, and work with very expensive technology.... a router does the routing and security, and the switch does all of connections... Switch is direct port to port.... where a HUB actually broadcasts all data across all ports... which allows for easy data sniffing...



But usually a router will have like 1-6 ports for various connections... like internet, serial, and a couple of internet ports...



A switch can have hundreds of ports... I have never heard of a router that has more than 10 ports...



Good luck

Answer 3

you answered your own question ... confused?



A standard layer 2 switch basically forwards traffic between nodes that are on the same subnet. In order to forward traffic to nodes on separate subnet they need the intervention of a router to forward the traffic for them. So the switch would deliver the traffic to the router and the router would send it on to the other subnet assuming it has a route to said subnet.



However, now there are switches that are much smarter that can actually replace the need for basic routers since they understand layer 3 or IP traffic and can forward between subnets without the intervention of a router.

Answer 4

Usually you connect ROUTERS to communication lines such as DLS and phone lines. Some routers have spots to connect computers too.



Switches just connect a group of computer, printers or other devices you want to share over a network.

Answer 5

so whats your point and question?