What is the Difference between a Switch and a Router in Networking?

Switch and router are the most used terms in computer networking. Since both are applicable in connectivity, people often get confused and assume that they will do the same thing. As both are used for connectivity, people often confuse them and assume they serve the same purpose. But are they really the same? Can one replace the other? 

The simple answer to this question is no, but there’s more to it. 

Though they might seem the same on a casual overview, a switch and a router have different levels in a network. They serve highly different purposes. This blog provides a detailed overview of what a switch and a router are, how they operate and what differentiates them. 

Let’s start with their basic definition for better understanding.

What is a Switch?

A switch is the network device that is used to link together several systems using a Local Area Network (LAN). It works mostly at Layer 2 (Data Link Layer) of the OSI model. Furthermore, it uses media access control (MAC) addresses to route the data further toward an appropriate device. Such selective forwarding maximizes network efficiency because it eliminates useless traffic. They can establish and terminate the internet connection based on current requirements.  

Switches, unlike routers, do not connect to two or more networks and route between them. Nevertheless, the extent to which they might create or cancel internet connections in the local setup relies on the design of the network.

Key Features of a Network Switch

These are some of the characteristics of a network switch:

MAC Address Filtering: MAC addresses are used to transfer the data packets to the specific device.

Full-Duplex Mode: Allows the maximum data transfer at any one time, going both directions.

Port Management: Numerous Ethernet ports can be used in connection with numerous network devices.

VLAN Support: It provides segmented networks to manage traffic well.

Quality of Service: Prefer important traffic such as VoIP or video streaming.

Power over Ethernet: Deliver power to devices via Ethernet cabling.

Low Latency: Ensures quick packet forwarding with minimal delays.

How Does a Network Switch Work?

A data frame is passed to the switch by some connected machine. It checks the destination MAC address inside the frame and uses it to identify the proper port to send the data to. In situations where the destination address is not known, the information is simply broadcast on all ports (other than the one sending the information). When a proper destination has responded, the switch updates its table in future to be efficient.

This greatly reduces congestion and improves the performance levels in the network as compared to the previously available devices, such as hubs, which broadcast data to all connected devices.

What is a Router? 

A router is a device that links two or more networks of different natures. Most often, it links up a Local Area Network (LAN) to the Wide Area Network (WAN), like the internet. Also, routers work at Layer 3 (Network Layer) of the OSI model and are also used to forward data packets based on IP addresses.

In a case where switches are operating in the same network, the routers manage data among various networks. In a residential configuration, a router links up your television (TV), phone, and computer and provides the devices with access to the internet.

Key Features of a Router

A router comes with the following characteristics;

IP Address Management: This provides IP addresses and manages IP addresses using DHCP.

Packet Routing: Routing a packet in terms of its destination IP addresses, via routing tables.

NAT (Network Address Translation): It is the capability to multiplex a single public IP address and share it on a LAN with multiple devices.

In-line Firewall: Provides the basic security functions as it filters traffic passing in and out.

Port Forwarding / DMZ: Port forwarding and DMZ allow access to internal services remotely.

WAN Connectivity: Interconnects the separation of networks within an organization to its external environment (e.g. internet).

How Does a Router Work?

A router interns data packets belonging to a single network (which is normally your local LAN) and decides the most suitable route to send them to a different network (typically the internet). It reads the destination IP in the packet header and consults its routing table to determine the most effective path.

For home networks, the router is normally connected to an ISP via a WAN port, and since all the devices in the LAN themselves communicate via LAN, the router uses DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) to issue the IP addresses to all the devices on the LAN as non-routable or private IP addresses. When a device in the LAN wants to transmit data to the internet, the router applies a NAT (network address translation) to translate the privately assigned IP addresses into a publicly routable IP and thereafter transmits the data.

Routers may also filter traffic based on direction (incoming and outgoing) in terms of security, apply bandwidth policy and traffic priority management based on quality of service.

Difference Between a Switch and a Router

OSI Layer

Switch: It works on Layer 2 (Data Link Layer).

Router: It works on Layer 3 (Network Layer).

Main Function

Switch: A LAN (Local Area Network) is used to interconnect more devices.

Router: Interfaces two or more networks together, such as a LAN to the internet (WAN).

Uses

Switch: Processes the connection between devices on the same network (e.g. PC to printer).

Router: Deals with external communication, i.e. internet access.

Addressing Method

Switch: Forwards information on a MAC by address basis to a particular device.

Router: Follows the addresses of IP addresses used when transporting information in a network.

Device Connection

Switch: Joins end devices such as printers, computers, etc., to the same network.

Router: Links whole networks: it links your home network to the ISP.

Network Segmentation

Switch: Has VLANs (Virtual LANs) to do some limited segmentation.

Router: fully segments a network and regulates traffic within separate segments.

Internet Sharing

Switch: Is not able to share the internet alone.

Router: Is able to share the internet with all devices in a network.

Security Features

Switch: Either has little or no built-in security.

Router: On-board firewalls, NAT (Network Address Translation) and port forwarding.

Typical Use Cases

Switch: An office or LAN application used to extend intranet connectivity.

Router: Network devices used to access the internet and route traffic in homes, small companies and internet service providers.

A Quick Overview 

Conclusion 

Although a switch and a router address data traffic, they each have completely distinct uses within their network. A switch maintains communication on the internal side of a network and cannot be connected directly to the Internet. Instead, a router has access to the internet and it routes traffic between other networks. The selection of the one device depends on your networking needs. Routers are perfect to handle external communications, and switches can handle internal traffic; they will be used in the majority of networks.

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