Routers and switches are both computer networking devices. They allow one or more computers to be connected to other computers, networked devices, or to other networks.
However, the functions of a hub, switch and router are quite different, even if at times they are integrated into a single device. Routers connect two or more logical subnets, which do not necessarily map one-to-one to the physical interfaces of the router. The term layer 3 switch often is used interchangeably with router, but switch is really a general term without a rigorous technical definition. In marketing usage, it is generally optimized for Ethernet LAN interfaces and may not have other physical interface types.
However, the functions of a hub, switch and router are quite different, even if at times they are integrated into a single device. Routers connect two or more logical subnets, which do not necessarily map one-to-one to the physical interfaces of the router. The term layer 3 switch often is used interchangeably with router, but switch is really a general term without a rigorous technical definition. In marketing usage, it is generally optimized for Ethernet LAN interfaces and may not have other physical interface types.
Comparison chart
Router |
Switch |
|
|---|---|---|
| Layer | Network Layer (Layer 3 devices) | Data Link Layer. Network switches operate at Layer 2 of the OSI model. |
| Ports | 2/4/8 | Switch is multi port Bridge. 24/48 ports |
| Device Type | Networking device | Active Device (With Software) & Networking device |
| Data Transmission form | Packet | Frame (L2 Switch) Frame & Packet (L3 switch) |
| Transmission Type | At Initial Level Broadcast then Uni-cast & Multicast | First broadcast; then unicast & multicast as needed. |
| Function | Directs data in a network. Passes data between home computers, and between computers and the modem. | Allow to connect multiple device and port can be manage, Vlan can create security also can apply |
| Table | Store IP address in Routing table and maintain address at its own. | A network switch stores MAC addresses in a lookup table. |
| Transmission Mode | Full duplex | Full duplex |
| Used in (LAN, MAN, WAN) | LAN, WAN | LAN |
| Broadcast Domain | In Router, every port has its own Broadcast domain. | Switch has one broadcast domain [unless VLAN implemented] |
| Definition | A router is a networking device that connects a local network to other local networks. At the Distribution Layer of the network, routers direct traffic and perform other functions critical to efficient network operation. | A network switch is a computer networking device that is used to connect many devices together on a computer network. A switch is considered more advanced than a hub because a switch will on send msg to device that needs or request it |
| Device Category | Intelligent Device | Intelligent Device |
| Bandwidth sharing | Bandwidth sharing is Dynamic (Enables either static or dynamic bandwidth sharing for modular cable interfaces. The default percent-value is 0. The percent-value range is 1-96.) | There no sharing port can be 10, 100, 1000 and 10000 Mbps individual |
| Speed | 1-10 Mbps(Wireless) 100 Mbps (Wired) | 10/100Mbps, 1Gbps |
| Routing Decision | Take faster Routing Decision | Take more time for complicated routing Decision |
| NAT (Network Address Translation) | Can Perform NAT | Switches can Not perform NAT |
| Faster | In a different network environment (MAN/ WAN) Router is faster than L3 Switch. | In a LAN environment L3 switch is faster than Router (built in switchning hardware) |
| Features | Firewall VPN Dynamic hadling of Bandwidth | Priority rt range On/Off setting of port VLAN Port mirroring |
| Latest Models | Linksys WRT54GL Juniper MX & EX series Cisco 3900,2900,1900 | Alcatel's OmniSwitch 9000; Cisco Catalyst switch 4500 and 6500(10 Gbps), |
| Used for | Connecting two or more networks | Connecting two or more nodes in the same network or different network |
| Address used for data tramsmission | Uses IP address | Uses MAC address |
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