Connecting the Internet to an apartment or a private house always raises many questions. To begin with, we choose an Internet provider, if there is plenty to choose from. After we look at the tariffs, and only then try to find out how the switch differs from the router.
Equipment
Both devices are network equipment. They are designed for the operation of computer networks. These include not only the switch and router, but also the hub, patch panel, etc. Any network device can be assigned to one of the groups: active or passive. You need to understand what is the difference between them.
Active
These devices are built on electronic circuits that receive electrical power. Such equipment is designed for amplification and signal conversion. The main characteristic is the use of special algorithms for processing. What does it mean?
The Internet network works with batch sending files. Each such set has its own technical parameters: this includes materials about its sources, goals, data integrity, etc. These indicators make it possible to transfer packets to the desired address.
The active device not only finds the signal, but also processes these technical parameters. It directs them in streams in accordance with built-in algorithms. Such a skill allows the device to be called such.
Passive
This group does not receive the necessary power from the mains. Works with the distribution and reduction of signal levels. Such devices can safely include cables, plug and socket, balun, patch panel. Some attribute telecommunication cabinets, cable trays, etc.
Variety
Since the network is active mainly due to the first group of devices, we’ll talk about it. These include ten devices of various types. For example, the network adapter, which is located in the computer itself. Network equipment of this type is now found in all PCs and helps to connect to the LAN.
This also includes a repeater. The device has two ports and works with signal duplication. Thus, it helps to increase the size of the network segment. A hub is also active equipment, sometimes called a hub. It operates with 4-32 channels and serves for the interaction of all participants in the network.
And finally, we got to the question of how the switch differs from the router. Although besides them, there is also a repeater, a media converter, a bridge and a network transceiver.
Router
So, let's start with this device. In the people it is simply called a router. It serves to forward packets between different network segments. It is guided by the rules and routing tables. The device connects networks with different architectures. In order to correctly complete the process, it studies the typology, defines the rules that the administrator set.
To understand the question of how the switch differs from the router, it is important to understand the principles of operation of one and the second device. So, the router first examines the information about the recipient: it looks at its address and the name of the set. Then it goes to the routing table and identifies the path for transferring files. If the tables do not have the required information, the data packets are discarded.
Sometimes, other methods may be used to select the desired path. For example, we study the sender address, upper-level protocols, and all the data that is hidden behind the name of the set.
Routers interact with address translation, filter transit flows according to the prescribed rules, encrypt or decrypt the transmitted files.
Switch
A network switch or switch is a device that interacts with connecting multiple nodes on a PC network. The whole process does not go beyond several or one part of the network.
This equipment also belongs to the active group. It operates at the OSI link layer. Since the switch was originally configured to work with bridge parameters, it can be considered as a multiport bridge. To combine several lines at the network level, they use just a router.
The switch does not have the power to distribute traffic from one gadget to the rest. He passes information only to the right person. The process has good performance and ensures the safety of the Internet network.
The work of the switch is to save the switching table and, using it, to determine the correspondence between the MAC addresses. When the equipment is connected, the table is empty and filled in as the machine learns.
Files that fall on one of the ports are immediately sent via other channels. The device begins to examine the frames and, after determining the sender's addresses, temporarily enters information into the archive. When a port receives a frame whose address has already been recorded, it will be transmitted along the path specified in the configuration.
Difference
How is the switch different from the router? At first glance, it’s definitely worth saying that the main differences of these devices lie in the principles of operation. There is a rather interesting analogy that easily explains the difference.
Suppose we have a corporation mail server. The employee sent the file, which should reach the recipient through an internal or local delivery system. In this case, the switch is the mail server, and the router is local.
What we have? The switch does not analyze the content of the mail and its type. It stores a list of all employees of the company, the addresses of their offices. Therefore, its main task is to transfer mail to a specific recipient.
In this entire story, the router works as a postman to deliver information to people who work outside the company. He checks the contents and can independently change the delivery rules if any additional information is found in the letter.
The disadvantage of a router compared to a switch lies in the complicated and costly administration. Specialists who work with this equipment must own a huge number of parameters. In this case, the configuration must always be consistent with another configuration on the network.
findings
Most companies try to upgrade their network, so they change their legacy equipment to a switch between routers and networks. New devices help improve productivity, and their outdated "colleagues" continue to work on security.
Configuring a router and switch is not easy. It’s best for an ordinary user not to get in here. When setting up a home network, specialists come who install this equipment and configure it in parallel. This process is not easy. It is individual for each provider and a specific network.
If any malfunctions occur, then you need to contact your Internet provider, because if there are problems with the setup, then you can not do without it.