ROUTER SWITCH

Function Directs data in a

network. Passes Allow connections to multiple devices, manage
data between home ports, manage VLAN security settings
computers, and
between computers
and the modem.

Layer Network Layer Data Link Layer. Network switches operate at

(Layer 3 devices) Layer 2 of the OSI model.

Data Transmission Packet Frame (L2 Switch) Frame & Packet (L3 switch)
form

Transmission Type At Initial Level First broadcast; then unicast & multicast as
Broadcast then Uni- needed.
cast & Multicast

Ports 2/4/5/8 Switch is multi port Bridge. 24/48 ports

Used in (LAN, MAN, LAN, MAN, WAN LAN

WAN)

Device Type Networking device Active Device (With Software) & Networking
device

Table Store IP address in Switches use content accessible memory CAM

Routing table and table which is typically accessed by ASIC
maintain address at (Application Specific integrated chips).
its own.

Transmission Mode Full duplex Half/Full duplex

Broadcast Domain In Router, every Switch has one broadcast domain [unless
port has its own VLAN implemented]
Broadcast domain.

Definition A router is a A network switch is a computer networking

networking device device that is used to connect many devices
that connects a together on a computer network. A switch is
local network to considered more advanced than a hub because
a switch will on send msg to device that needs
other local
or request it
networks. At the
Distribution Layer
of the network,
routers direct traffic
and perform other
functions critical to
 efficient network
operation.

Speed 1-100 Mbps 10/100 Mbps, 1 Gbps

(Wireless); 100
Mbps - 1 Gbps
(Wired)

Address used for Uses IP address Uses MAC address

data tramsmission

Used for Connecting two or Connecting two or more nodes in the same
more networks network (L2) or different network (L3)

Device Category Intelligent Device Intelligent Device

Bandwidth sharing Bandwidth sharing There is no sharing port can be 10, 100, 1000
is Dynamic and 10000 Mbps individual
(Enables either
static or dynamic
bandwidth sharing
for modular cable
interfaces. The
default percent-
value is 0. The
percent-value
range is 1-96.)

Routing Decision Take faster routing Take more time for complicated routing
decisions decisions

NAT (Network Routers can Switches cannot perform NAT

Address perform NAT
Translation)

Faster In a different In a LAN environment, an L3 switch is faster

network than a router (built-in switching hardware)
environment (MAN/
WAN), a router is
faster than an L3
switch.

Features Firewall VPN Priority rt range On/Off setting of port VLAN

Dynamic hadling of Port mirroring
Bandwidth

Examples Linksys WRT54GL Alcatel's OmniSwitch 9000; Cisco Catalyst

Juniper MX & EX switch 4500 and 6500 (10 Gbps)
 series Cisco 3900,
2900, 1900

Connections Can connect to Can connect to multiple PCs or networking

multiple PCs or devices (L3 switches) via Cat5, Cat5e
networking devices
via Ethernetor WiFi

Necessary for No, but No

Internet provides additional
Connection? security and allows
for multiple
connections.

Security Provides security Port security

measures to protect
network

Manufacturers Cisco, Netgear, Cisco and D-link Juniper

Linksys, Asus, TP-
Link, D-Link