Switches and routers


Switches and routers are two fundamental components of network infrastructure, enabling device connectivity and network creation. While both serve similar purposes, they operate at different network layers and fulfill slightly different roles.

Switches

Switches operate at Layer 2 of the OSI model and are responsible for connecting devices within the same local area network (LAN). They function by receiving data frames from one port and forwarding them to the designated port based on the destination device's MAC address. Switches facilitate fast and efficient communication between devices on a LAN, such as computers, printers, servers, and Wi-Fi access points.

Routers

Routers, on the other hand, operate at Layer 3 of the OSI model and connect different networks together. Their primary task is to direct data traffic between networks, choosing the best path for forwarding packets. Routers utilize routing tables and IP addresses to identify networks and determine the optimal path for data. Additionally, routers provide features such as NAT (Network Address Translation),