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Differentiate between a router and a switch.

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Routers and switches are both networking devices, but they serve different purposes in a network. Here are the key differences between a router and a switch:

  1. Functionality:
    • Router:
      • Operates at the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model.
      • Routes data between different networks, making decisions based on IP addresses.
      • Manages traffic between multiple networks and determines the best path for data to reach its destination.
      • Typically used to connect a local network to the internet.
    • Switch:
      • Operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model.
      • Connects devices within the same local network (LAN).
      • Uses MAC addresses to forward data within a network.
      • Enhances network performance by creating a collision domain for each port.
  2. Addressing:
    • Router:
      • Uses IP addresses for routing decisions.
      • Can differentiate between multiple IP subnets.
    • Switch:
      • Uses MAC addresses to forward frames within a local network.
      • Operates within a single IP subnet.
  3. Traffic Handling:
    • Router:
      • Filters and forwards data based on IP addresses.
      • Provides network segmentation and broadcast domain separation.
    • Switch:
      • Forwards frames based on MAC addresses.
      • Operates within a single broadcast domain.
  4. Broadcast Handling:
    • Router:
      • Does not forward broadcast packets by default; broadcast domains are separated.
    • Switch:
      • Forwards broadcast packets within the same broadcast domain.
  5. Connection to Networks:
    • Router:
      • Connects different networks, including connecting a local network to the internet.
    • Switch:
      • Connects devices within the same local network.
  6. Layer in OSI Model:
    • Router:
      • Works at the network layer (Layer 3).
    • Switch:
      • Works at the data link layer (Layer 2).
  7. Examples:
    • Router:
      • Home routers, enterprise routers, internet routers.
    • Switch:
      • Ethernet switches, network switches.

A router connects different networks and makes decisions based on IP addresses, while a switch connects devices within the same network and forwards data based on MAC addresses. In many networks, both routers and switches are used in conjunction to facilitate efficient and secure data transfer.