Difference Between Router and Switch in Network Configuration

When it comes to network configuration, routers and switches play different roles in routing and forwarding data packets. Here are the key differences:

Router:

• Functionality: Routers are networking devices that operate at the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model. They are responsible for routing traffic between different networks based on IP addresses.
• Routing Decision: Routers make intelligent decisions using routing tables to determine the best path for data packets to reach their destination.
• Network Segmentation: Routers can create multiple broadcast domains, providing network segmentation and improved security.

Switch:

• Functionality: Switches operate at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model. They are used to connect devices within the same network, forwarding traffic based on MAC addresses.
• MAC Address Learning: Switches learn MAC addresses of connected devices and use this information to efficiently forward data packets only to the intended recipient.
• Broadcast Domain: Switches typically operate within a single broadcast domain, where broadcast traffic is forwarded to all connected devices.

In summary, routers are used for inter-network communication and routing between different networks, while switches are used for intra-network communication and connecting devices within the same network.