�鶹��Ƶ

Latest revision as of 12:25, 14 July 2008

Switch

A network switch connects computers and devices so they can communicate with each other over what is called a local area network.

Router

Routers connect computes and devices so they can communicate with each other but also assign DHCP so the computers and devices can get onto the internet.

The differences

In computer networking, a switch is often confused with a router, but the two serve very different purposes.

While a switch connects network devices together to form a LAN, a router determines the best way to route packets across two or more networks, based on certain network conditions.

The confusion of these terms probably stems from the existence of consumer devices which act as both routers and switches.

Neighborhood Analogy

A good analogy for switches and routers is to think of a network of computers as a neighborhood. A switch is the street which connects the houses, and routers are the intersections of those streets which contain helpful information (like street names), to aid you in navigating to a certain address.

Bringing devices to �鶹��Ƶ

�鶹��Ƶ does not allow people to connect routers to our network, because it interferes with the established network structure by assigning its own IP addresses. As a result, when a router is found on the network, the port with the attached router will be disabled, to minimize connectivity issues.

A switch or hub connected to the �鶹��Ƶ network should function correctly.

Many consumer router allow one to disable DHCP serving (this is usually controlled in the router's browser-based control panel). If this can be successfully disabled, the router should essentially act as a switch or hub, and should function correctly on the �鶹��Ƶ network.

Check out a switch

If you're a student living in a 3+ person room with only 2 network ports, you can check out a switch from Technology Services to add extra ethernet ports.

To check one out (for the semester / year), please stop by the Technology Helpline in Olin.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-Consumer Network Routers and Switches look very similar. However, there is a major difference between these two devices.
+==Switch==
+A network switch connects computers and devices so they can communicate with each other over what is called a local area network.
-== Network Routers ==
+==Router==
-[[Image:router.jpg|right|thumb]]
+Routers connect computes and devices so they can communicate with each other but also assign [[DHCP]] so the computers and devices can get onto the internet.
-A '''router''' is a computer networking device that forwards data to connected devices. It is able to share a single internet connection by splitting the connection among multiple ports. It does this by assigning a sub-network address to each computer it is hosting. This is done through [[DHCP]].
+==The differences==
+In computer networking, a [[switch]] is often confused with a [[router]], but the two serve very different purposes.
-=== Router Visual Example ===
+While a '''switch connects network devices''' together to form a [[LAN]], a '''router''' determines the best way to '''route packets''' across two or more '''networks''', based on certain network conditions.
-[[Image:routerchart.jpg|thumb|500px|center]]
+The confusion of these terms probably stems from the existence of consumer devices which act as '''both''' routers ''and'' switches.
+===Neighborhood Analogy===
+A good analogy for switches and routers is to think of a network of computers as a neighborhood. A '''switch''' is the '''street''' which connects the houses, and '''routers''' are the '''intersections''' of those streets which contain helpful information (like street names), to aid you in navigating to a certain address.
-== Network Switch ==
+==Bringing devices to �鶹��Ƶ==
-[[Image:switch.jpg|right|thumb]]
+�鶹��Ƶ does not allow people to connect '''routers''' to our network, because it interferes with the established network structure by assigning its own IP addresses. As a result, when a router is found on the network, the port with the attached router will be disabled, to minimize connectivity issues.
-A '''switch''' is a computer networking device that splits a single  ethernet connection among multiple ports. It does not assign IP addresses and therefore only multiplies the connections on the network.
+A switch or [[hub]] connected to the �鶹��Ƶ network should function correctly.
-=== Switch Visual Example ===
+Many consumer router allow one to disable DHCP serving (this is usually controlled in the router's browser-based control panel). If this can be successfully disabled, the router should essentially act as a switch or hub, and should function correctly on the �鶹��Ƶ network.
-[[Image:switchchart.jpg|thumb|500px|center]]
+==Check out a switch==
+If you're a student living in a 3+ person room with only 2 network ports, you can check out a switch from [[Technology Services]] to add extra ethernet ports.
+To check one out (for the semester / year), please stop by the [[Technology Helpline]] in [[Olin]].
-== What should I buy? ==
+[[Category:Networking]]
-Here at �鶹��Ƶ, using a router will interfere with our current network structure. As a result, if a router if found on the network, the port with the attached router will be shut off.
+[[Category:Hardware]]
-Sometimes a router can still be used by turning off the [[DHCP]] function in the router's control panel. However, this does not always work, so using a switch is recommended.
-Switches will not interfere with our network structure and should be used if you need extra ports in your room. �鶹��Ƶ Technology Services provides network switches to students living in a 3 or more person room with only 2 network ports provided.
-Further questions can be directed to the Technology Helpline by calling x6111 or emailing at helpline@gac.edu.