Routers vs Switches

[1965]

Can anybody tell me  (in layman's terms ) the difference between routers and switches?

 

[dwaino]

The very question means if you're comparing the two then definitely go for a router :p.

A router acts as the central LAN point and gateway to the net. A switch and/or hub configuration requires one computer to act as the router and would require multiple network adapters to serve both LAN and WAN (since it is acting as the gateway and central hub point). Routers are handy due to in built firewalls in the firmware so you don't risk putting a gateway computer in the DMZ.

A pro can feel free to correct me, I'm a hobbyist and not a network/computer tech :p

Appendix:
LAN- local area network
WAN- wide area network
DMZ- demilitarised zone ie raw unprotected interwebs

[tiga]

Can anybody tell me  (in layman's terms ) the difference between routers and switches?

 

65, To complicate things you can actually get switches that route. They are called layer 3 switches.

But let me put it in simple terms...

Routing is the transferring of data between segregated or separated networks whereas a switch communicates data to computers and peripherals within each network.

For example, lets say you have a network at home on an IP address range of 10.10.0.0 to 10.10.0.254.

Now your network is private (or at least i am hoping so)
Lets say you have two computers connected to your internet modem, which is in all likelihood a combined switch/router/firewall. One computer has an IP address of 10.10.0.2 and the other has an IP address of 10.10.0.3. Now you want to transfer files from one computer to another. As they are both on your private network it uses "switching" to do so. Now lets say you want to go onto the internet to browse OER. The computer or server that OER is on has an IP address of 203.123.59.210. That address is obviously not part of your home network so your computer goes looking for it and the first place you hit is what is called your "default gateway" or "router". This is actually your internet modem switch/router/firewall. From where I live, in order for me to get to OER, I have to travel through 13 routers or 13 different networks before I get there.

I could go on but I'll let you digest things first 

[tiga]

This is ironic and possibly a situation where the ignore filter has its disadvantages.

Could someone pleas let 65 know that I have responded to his request for info on routers and switches and that he will have to unblock me from his ignore list if he is to read it.

[F0551L]

This is ironic and possibly a situation where the ignore filter has its disadvantages.

Could someone pleas let 65 know that I have responded to his request for info on routers and switches and that he will have to unblock me from his ignore list if he is to read it.

consider it done   

[1965]

This is ironic and possibly a situation where the ignore filter has its disadvantages.

Could someone pleas let 65 know that I have responded to his request for info on routers and switches and that he will have to unblock me from his ignore list if he is to read it.

Done ( just remember you are on probation  )

 

[tiga]

This is ironic and possibly a situation where the ignore filter has its disadvantages.

Could someone pleas let 65 know that I have responded to his request for info on routers and switches and that he will have to unblock me from his ignore list if he is to read it.

Done ( just remember you are on probation  )

 

Roadrunner, I promise to keep my box of Acme destructive devices in the cupboard for a while if you stop poking your tongue out at me and saying Beep Beep. 

Signed,

Coyote. 

[tiga]

This is ironic and possibly a situation where the ignore filter has its disadvantages.

Could someone pleas let 65 know that I have responded to his request for info on routers and switches and that he will have to unblock me from his ignore list if he is to read it.

consider it done   

Thanks 632