```html

The Difference Between a Router and a Switch in a Network Infrastructure

When it comes to networking, understanding the difference between a router and a switch is crucial. While both devices play essential roles in network infrastructure, they serve different functions.

Router

A router is a networking device that connects multiple networks together, such as a local area network (LAN) and the internet. It operates at the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model and is responsible for routing data packets between different networks based on IP addresses. Routers are intelligent devices that can make decisions about the best path for data to reach its destination efficiently.

Switch

On the other hand, a switch is a networking device that connects multiple devices within the same network, such as computers, printers, and servers. It operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model and uses MAC addresses to forward data to the appropriate device within the same network. Switches are essential for creating local area networks and facilitate fast communication between devices.

In summary, routers are used to connect different networks and route data between them, while switches are used to connect devices within the same network and facilitate communication between them.

```
In this HTML document, the focus keyword "difference between a router and a switch" is included in the title tag, headings, and content of the answer. This structured content is designed to improve SEO visibility for the topic and help search engines understand the context of the information provided.