ROUTER,

SWITCH AND
ACCESS
POINT
 ROUTER
• A router is a networking device that forwards data
packets between computer networks. Routers
perform the traffic directing functions on the Internet.
Data sent through the internet, such as a web page or
email, is in the form of data packets. A packet is
typically forwarded from one router to another router
through the networks that constitute an internet until
it reaches its destination node.
 FUNCTION OF ROUTER
• The main purpose of a router is to connect multiple
networks and forward packets destined either for its
own networks or other networks. 
• A router connects devices within a network by
forwarding data packets between them. This data can be
sent between devices, or from devices to the internet.
The router does this by assigning a local IP address to
each of the devices on the network.
 TYPES OF ROUTER: WIRED ROUTERS
• Wired routers are typically box-shaped devices that
connect directly to computers via "hard-lined" or
wired connections. One connection port on a wired
router allows the router to connect to a modem for
receiving Internet data packs, while another set of
ports allows a wired router to connect to computers
for distributing Internet data packets. 
 WIRELESS ROUTER
•Similar to a wired router, a wireless router
connects directly to a modem via a cable for
receiving Internet data packets. However,
instead of relying on cables for distributing
data packets to computers, wireless routers
distribute data packets using one or more
antennae. 
 BENEFITS OR ADVANTAGES OF
ROUTERS
Following are the benefits or advantages of Routers:
It provides connection between different network architectures such as Ethernet &
token ring etc.
It can choose best path across the internetwork using dynamic routing algorithms.
It can reduce network traffic by creating collision domains and also by creating
broadcast domains.
It provides sophisticated routing, flow control and traffic isolation.
They are configurable which allows network manager to make policy based on
routing decisions.
 DRAWBACKS OR
DISADVANTAGES OF ROUTERS
Following are the drawbacks or disadvantages of Routers:
They operate based on routable network protocols.
They are expensive compare to other network devices.
Dynamic router communications can cause additional network overhead. This results
into less bandwidth for user data.
They are slower as they need to analyze data from layer-1 through layer
They require considerable amount of initial configurations.
They are protocol dependent devices which must understand the protocol they are
forwarding.
 SWITCH
•A switch is a device in
a computer network that
connects other devices
together. 
 NETWORKING
•Switches are most commonly used as the
network connection point for hosts at the edge
of a network. In the hierarchical
internetworking model and similar network
architectures, switches are also used deeper in
the network to provide connections between the
switches at the edge.
TYPES OF SWITCH
•LAN Switch
TYPES OF SWITCH
•Unmanaged Switch
 BENEFITS OR ADVANTAGES OF
SWITCHES
Following are the benefits or advantages of Switches:
They increase the available bandwidth of the network.
They help in reducing workload on individual host PCs.
They increase the performance of the network.
Networks which use switches will have less frame collisions. This is
due to the fact that switches create collision domains for each
connection.
Switches can be connected directly to workstations.
 DRAWBACKS OR
DISADVANTAGES OF SWITCHES
Following are the disadvantages of Switches:
They are more expensive compare to network
bridges.
Network connectivity issues are difficult to be
traced through the network switch.
Broadcast traffic may be troublesome.
 DRAWBACKS OR
DISADVANTAGES OF SWITCHES
If switches are in promiscuous mode, they are
vulnerable to security attacks e.g. spoofing IP
address or capturing of Ethernet frames.
Proper design and configuration is needed in order
to handle multicast packets.
While limiting broadcasts, they are not as good as
routers.
 ACCESS POINT
•An access point is a device that creates a
wireless local area network, or WLAN,
usually in an office or large building. An
access point connects to a wired router,
switch, or hub via an Ethernet cable, and
projects a Wi-Fi signal to a designated
area.
 ACCESS POINT
•For example, if you want to enable Wi-Fi
access in your company's reception area
but don’t have a router within range, you
can install an access point near the front
desk and run an Ethernet cable through the
ceiling back to the server room.
 ADVANTAGES OF USING
WIRELESS ACCESS POINTS
1. More users access
•An ordinary wireless router can only
support 10-20 users access, while AP is
able to allow over 50 or even hundreds of
users access, and what’s more, it has
stronger ability to send and receive
signals
 ADVANTAGES OF USING
WIRELESS ACCESS POINTS
2. Broader range of transmission
•Generally, the range of signal transmission
that a wireless router can cover is just
dozens of meters, and if beyond this range,
signal will be lost. Nevertheless, an AP can
cover further distances, up to 100-300
meters.
 ADVANTAGES OF USING
WIRELESS ACCESS POINTS
3. Flexible networking
• It is known that except home networking, wireless
networking in commercial locations often involves the
use of many wireless devices, and different networking
patterns should be adopted based on the environment
and requirements. The networking mode of the
wireless router is relatively single with low flexibility.
On the contrary, an AP has a variety of
modes for you to choose, which meant
to be very flexible, such as Simplex AP,
Wireless Client, Wireless Bridge, Multi-
point Bridge, etc. and it can be
managed in a centralized way with the
cooperation of wireless AP controller.
 ADVANTAGES OF USING
WIRELESS ACCESS POINTS
4. Multi-AP interconnection
•The enterprise can design the wireless
program flexibly according to its actual
situation. Multi-AP interconnection can give
full play to its advantages. Multi-AP
applications are typically found in
businesses but rarely exposed at home.
In the business, the coverage of
single AP is limited, so in order to
extend the coverage of wireless
networks and allow clients to
roam seamlessly in the network,
multi-AP interconnection will be a
favorite for an enterprise.
 DISADVANTAGES OF
ACCESS POINT
1. High cost
• Some people think that wireless AP is a little bit
expensive, because for enterprises, when the scale of
enterprise wireless network is larger, the more
wireless APs are needed, thus the higher cost that
enterprises will undertake. So the priority for an
enterprise is to control cost, which leads many people
to be reluctant to use wireless AP, instead, they prefer
using home wireless routers with lower performance.
2. Inability to be used alone
• Now, many people would firstly think of wireless
routers instead of wireless AP at the mention of
building wireless networks, unless it’s a large hotel, or
public places. The main reason is that a wireless AP
can’t be used alone, can’t be directly connected to
ADSL (Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Loop) modem
and it needs to be used in conjunction with other
equipment like switches, controllers, Ethernet hubs,
etc. Therefore, many people would find it very
troublesome and less convenient as a wireless router.