Difference between router and switch
Router:
1. A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between networks. It operates at the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model.
2. Routers are used to connect multiple networks together, such as a home network to the internet or multiple offices in a company.
3. Routers make decisions about the best path for data packets to take based on IP addresses and routing tables.
4. Routers provide security features such as firewalls and network address translation (NAT) to protect the network from external threats.
Switch:
1. A switch is a networking device that forwards data packets within a single network. It operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model.
2. Switches are used to connect devices within a local area network (LAN) and facilitate communication between them.
3. Switches use MAC addresses to forward data packets to the correct destination device.
4. Switches can operate at high speeds and are commonly used in Ethernet networks to provide efficient data transmission.
In summary, routers connect multiple networks together, make decisions about how to route data packets between them, and provide security features. Switches, on the other hand, connect devices within a single network, forward data packets within that network, and facilitate communication between devices in a LAN.