In today’s fast-paced technological world, internetworking has become increasingly important. It is the process of connecting multiple networks together so that they can communicate and exchange information. To accomplish internetworking, we use various hardware devices, including routers, switches, hubs, and bridges. Among these devices, routers and switches are the most popular ones. In this article, we will guide you through everything you need to know about internetworking devices, from routers to switches, to help you better understand how they work.
Routers:
A router is a device used to connect two separate networks together. For example, a router might be used to connect a home office network to the internet. It does this by acting as a gateway between two or more networks, deciding where to send data packets. Routers can filter network traffic, prioritize network traffic, and perform network address translation (NAT) to allow devices with private IP addresses to communicate with devices on the internet.
To understand how routers work, you also need to know the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) model, which is a widely used network communication protocol. When a device wants to communicate with another device on a different network, it will send data in the form of packets. These packets are sent to a router, which reads the destination address in their headers to determine where to send them. In short, routers are responsible for navigating all traffic between networks.
Switches:
A switch is a device that connects multiple devices on the same network. They are used in Ethernet networks to provide a network connection to devices such as computers, printers, and servers. A switch can forward, filter, or flood data to other devices on the same network, making it an essential component of local area networks (LANs).
Switches work by reading the media access control (MAC) address that is unique to each device on the network. This information allows the switch to understand which devices are on each of its ports and which devices the data should be sent to on the network. Unlike routers, switches use a Layer 2 protocol, which means it forwards data based on MAC addresses instead of IP addresses.
When to use a router and when to use a switch.
Now that we know what routers and switches are let’s take a look at when to use each of them. Routers are best suited for larger networks, where there are different sub-networks, such as those in different locations. They are an ideal choice for managing traffic between multiple networks, such as a company’s intranet and its internet connection.
On the other hand, switches are best suited for smaller networks, such as local area networks (LANs), because they can provide a direct connection between devices on the same network. They are an excellent choice for networks where devices (such as PCs, laptops, and printers) need to connect to each other.
In conclusion, routers and switches are two different devices that are important in building an internetwork that can support seamless communication. Understanding their differences and the situations where each one is most effective is crucial in designing an effective network infrastructure.