Difference between revisions of "Switch"
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A switch is essentially a more efficient, sophisticated [[hub]]. | A switch is essentially a more efficient, sophisticated [[hub]]. | ||
| − | A switch is often confused with a [[router]], but the two serve very different purposes. A router ''determines'' the best way to route packets across networks, based on certain network conditions. | + | A switch is often confused with a [[router]], but the two serve very different purposes. A router ''determines'' the best way to ''route'' packets across networks, based on certain network conditions. |
==Analogy== | ==Analogy== | ||
Revision as of 14:02, 7 December 2006
In computer networking, a switch connects multiple network devices together to form a LAN. A switch works by filtering and forwarding packets between LAN segments, transparently bridging them.
A switch is essentially a more efficient, sophisticated hub.
A switch is often confused with a router, but the two serve very different purposes. A router determines the best way to route packets across networks, based on certain network conditions.
Analogy
A good analogy for switches and routers is to think of a network of computers as a neighborhood. The switches are the streets, which connect the houses, and the routers are intersections, which contain information about the streets, like street name signs.
