Router Vs Switch

What makes the Internet, a continuous chain of computers connected across the globe as an entity possible? It's because of the art of computer networking. If you are new to networking jargon, one of the most used words in networking hardware discussions are 'routers' and 'switches'. What exactly are these devices and what are their functions? Answering these questions is the purpose of this article. Through a router vs switch comparison, I'll present the functional differences between the two devices.

A router, switch and hub are the most common devices used in any computer network. While a full scale router vs switch vs hub comparison would reveal the difference between all these three devices, I'll restrict myself to a comparison between routers and switches.

Comparison Between Router and Switch

A full understanding of computer networking and the function of its many components including switches and routers, requires a knowledge of OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model. To know more, check out the article, OSI model explained. This model has seven layers ranging from the physical layer to the topmost application layer. You don't need to know OSI to understand basic function of a router or a switch, but you will need to delve into it for a deeper understanding. Let us begin the router vs switch comparison with a functional definition of both devices.

Router Vs Switch: Definition
Let me begin this router vs switch comparison with the definition of a router. A router is a computer networking device used to connect together multiple computer networks. These devices carry out intelligent exchange of data packets within these networks. Every router is charged with the responsibility of directing data packets to their right destinations, from point to point. Modern routers are mini computers with hardware and software designed to serve this purpose. Their prime function is to forward data and regulate inter-network data traffic.

A switch or more precisely a 'network switch' is an electronic device that is used to integrate together small segments of a single network and is used to switch information between network devices or terminals. Also known as network bridges, these are integral linking elements of any Ethernet local area network.

Router Vs Switch: OSI Level Function
Now that you have a basic idea of what a router and switch are, let us understand their function in context of the OSI model layers. A router operates at level 3 of the OSI model, which is also known as the 'network layer'. A router normally connects together multiple logical subnets that do not possess a common address on a network. They are layer 3 switches carrying out data transfers at that level.

A network switch operates at the layer 2 of the OSI model, also known as data link layer. Some switches that operate at data link layer, as well as the upper layers are known as multilayer switches. If you compare routers and switches, the former reads and directs information by reading IP addresses of data packets, while the latter uses Media Access Control (MAC) addresses. A router has a sophisticated algorithm-based software to determine optimum path for data transfer. However, network switches don't have that kind of sophisticated software.

A wireless router vs switch comparison would not be any different from what I have already presented. The only difference is that wireless routers operate through a radio communication medium for data transfer, instead of wired medium used by other routers. Network switches are always wired devices and never wireless. As you must have realized, routers play a bigger role in the integration of smaller networks into bigger ones, than switches which function as links within a single network. Hope this router vs switch comparison has sufficiently clarified the difference between the two devices.