GATE CSE IT » Difference Between Router and Switch

Difference Between Router and Switch

If you want to gather knowledge about router and switch but the difference between router and switch confuses you, this guide will help you understand their difference easiest.

Table of Contents

  1. Definition of Router
  2. Definition of Switch
  3. Key Differences Between Router and Switch

The two main devices used for networking are the router and switch, and the third is known as the hub. The primary distinction between routers and switches is that the router connects multiple switches through their networks. In contrast, the switch connects multiple devices in the network.

Although they have similar looks, they are distinct in their functions.

Also, a network is the connecting of several devices within an area. Sometimes, the area is so tiny that all devices connected are arranged like the structure. But, at times, the area can be as big as a country, creating an extremely broad network connection.

If you know about LAN and WAN in the past, they deal mostly with the geographic region within which the network is extended. In the construction of networks, whether large or small, routers and switches play an important role. We will examine the distinct elements between them in this article. 

Definition of Router

This device can connect switches from various networks to create more of a network. The routers are not like switches because their primary function is to direct packets between networks to other networks. They transmit data in the form of packets. The most beneficial aspect of transmitting information in the form of packets is that it includes the destination address and the information’s content.

Definition of Switch

Switches are useful devices to create an interconnection between devices in the network. Also, it’s a more efficient variant of the hub. In simple terms, the switch functions as the central device that joins all networks’ devices to guarantee the proper sharing of resources. In the context of networks, all end-point devices such as computers, printers, servers and more have a connection via the switch.

Key Differences Between Router and Switch

  1. A router uses layer 3, i.e. the network layer, whereas the switch uses layer 2, i.e., the data layer in OSI. OSI model.
  2. A router device connects two or more networks, while a switch connects multiple devices on the same network.
  3. The routers transmit data propagated through packets, and generally, the switch transmits the data in frames.
  4. The type of network that the router creates is LAN or WAN. However, a switch is designed to create a LAN connection.
  5. The price offered by routers is significantly higher than switches.
  6. Routers are compatible with the network address and port address translation. However, neither indicates compatibility with switches.
  7. Routers use IP addresses to determine the address that the user is aiming for. Contrary to this, a MAC address is what the switch uses. Also, the switch uses the MAC address to do the same purpose.
  8. Routers typically use it to identify their destination IP. In comparison, content addressable memory is what the switches use to provide MAC addresses.
  9. Routers make more efficient routing decisions when compared to switches.
  10. Switches only support wired network orientation. However, routers are made to work in wireless and wired network orientations.
  11. Routers use both adaptive and non-adaptive routing. In the switch case, circuit or packet switching comes into usage.