Describe the difference between a switch and a router.

Focus Keyword: switch and router difference

Switch and router are both networking devices that operate at different layers of the OSI model. The main difference between a switch and a router lies in their functionality and how they handle network traffic.

Switch:

A switch operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model. It is used to connect multiple devices within the same network and allows them to communicate with each other. Switches use MAC addresses to forward data packets to the correct destination device. They create a network by creating a LAN (Local Area Network) and are commonly used in Ethernet networks to improve network performance.

Router:

A router operates at the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model. It is used to connect multiple networks together and route packets between them. Routers use IP addresses to forward data packets to the correct destination network or device. They determine the best path for data to travel across different networks and can provide security by acting as a firewall. Routers are commonly used in WANs (Wide Area Networks) to connect multiple LANs together.

In summary, while a switch is used to connect devices within the same network and forward data based on MAC addresses, a router is used to connect different networks and forward data based on IP addresses. Each device plays a crucial role in ensuring efficient and secure communication within a network infrastructure.