Switch VS Router

On Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:36:35 -0400, Mike Walsh
<spam_sucks@bellsouth.net> wrote:

>
>
>kony wrote:
>>
>> On Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:26:12 GMT, gecko <alpha@olympus.net>
>> wrote:
>>
>> >In simple terms, what is the difference between a switch and a router.
>> >What does one do that the other does not?
>> >
>> >Thanks
>> >-GECKO
>>
>> In practical terms, a router is desired to connect systems
>> to the internet because it acts as the "computer" host for
>> the modem used to connect to the internet and as a gateway
>> for the other systems to all use the same internet account.
>> It is further desirable because it adds an addt'l layer of
>> security over having one "PC" running windows as the host
>> for the modem which would make that PC's ports directly
>> accessible to anyone on the internet.
>>
>> A typical consumer grade router also has a switch built in,
>> you can see this is true if it has more than one LAN port in
>> addition to the WAN port.
>>
>> Some modems now have a router, some even a switch built in.
>> Some routers now have wifi built in, which is a good value
>> but if you don't use wifi then disable that feature if
>> present to improve security.
>
>Most routers have a built-in firewall. Some modems also have a firewall and do Network Address Translation.

Only the modems with a router integral have (at least a
minimal level of) firewall and NAT, AFAIK.

On Wed, 02 Jul 2008 21:37:51 -0400, kony thoughfully wrote:

> On Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:36:35 -0400, Mike Walsh
> <spam_sucks@bellsouth.net> wrote:
>
>
>>
>>kony wrote:
>>>
>>> On Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:26:12 GMT, gecko <alpha@olympus.net> wrote:
>>>
>>> >In simple terms, what is the difference between a switch and a
>>> >router. What does one do that the other does not?
>>> >
>>> >Thanks
>>> >-GECKO
>>>
>>> In practical terms, a router is desired to connect systems to the
>>> internet because it acts as the "computer" host for the modem used to
>>> connect to the internet and as a gateway for the other systems to all
>>> use the same internet account. It is further desirable because it adds
>>> an addt'l layer of security over having one "PC" running windows as
>>> the host for the modem which would make that PC's ports directly
>>> accessible to anyone on the internet.
>>>
>>> A typical consumer grade router also has a switch built in, you can
>>> see this is true if it has more than one LAN port in addition to the
>>> WAN port.
>>>
>>> Some modems now have a router, some even a switch built in. Some
>>> routers now have wifi built in, which is a good value but if you don't
>>> use wifi then disable that feature if present to improve security.
>>
>>Most routers have a built-in firewall. Some modems also have a firewall
>>and do Network Address Translation.
>
> Only the modems with a router integral have (at least a minimal level
> of) firewall and NAT, AFAIK.

The simple answer is switches "switch" traffic on internal networks and
routers "route" traffic between external networks.

Original intent early phone switchboards in an office. Operator would
physically switch calls among connected offices but had to call another
operator to switch a call outside the office. likewise switches handle
all traffic in the same network but the router handles all traffic going
to other networks.