Switch or Router

[Bogie]

Can someone explain the difference between them , i have a 8 port router that seems to be giving out and would like to know if i could replace with a switch?
i am looking at this one at newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124022&cm_re=router-_-33-124-022-_-Product

thank you

[xoke]

Can someone explain the difference between them , i have a 8 port router that seems to be giving out and would like to know if i could replace with a switch?
i am looking at this one at newegg
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124022&cm_re=router-_-33-124-022-_-Product

thank you

Short answer: Not really.

A router takes on your "real" IP address then intelligently hands out multiple secondary IP addresses to all the devices on your network. If all you had on your network was one device, it wouldn't be an issue, but with multiple devices a router is a must should you want them all to have access to the "webernet."

A switch is basically a semi intelligent connection between devices on a network, it isn't smart enough to hand out IP addresses, but it is smart enough to remember who is communicating with who, thus making it better than a hub and cutting down on unneeded network chatter.

A hub is basic a basic connectivity device between devices on a network, acts much like a switch...only with out the intelligence to remember who said what to who. It is the least desirable/efficient connectivity device.


Long answer:

From: compnetworking.about.com

A network switch is a small hardware device that joins multiple computers together within one local area network (LAN). Technically, network switches operate at layer two (Data Link Layer) of the OSI model.
Network switches appear nearly identical to network hubs, but a switch generally contains more intelligence (and a slightly higher price tag) than a hub. Unlike hubs, network switches are capable of inspecting data packets as they are received, determining the source and destination device of each packet, and forwarding them appropriately. By delivering messages only to the connected device intended, a network switch conserves network bandwidth and offers generally better performance than a hub.

Routers are physical devices that join multiple wired or wireless networks together. Technically, a wired or wireless router is a Layer 3 gateway, meaning that the wired/wireless router connects networks (as gateways do), and that the router operates at the network layer of the OSI model.
Home networkers often use an Internet Protocol (IP) wired or wireless router, IP being the most common OSI network layer protocol. An IP router such as a DSL or cable modem broadband router joins the home's local area network (LAN) to the wide-area network (WAN) of the Internet.

By maintaining configuration information in a piece of storage called the routing table, wired or wireless routers also have the ability to filter traffic, either incoming or outgoing, based on the IP addresses of senders and receivers. Some routers allow the home networker to update the routing table from a Web browser interface. Broadband routers combine the functions of a router with those of a network switch and a firewall in a single unit.

A router is a more sophisticated network device than either a switch or a hub. Like hubs and switches, network routers are typically small, box-like pieces of equipment that multiple computers can connect to. Each features a number of "ports" the front or back that provide the connection points for these computers, a connection for electric power, and a number of LED lights to display device status. While routers, hubs and switches all share similiar physical appearance, routers differ substantially in their inner workings.
Traditional routers are designed to join multiple area networks (LANs and WANs). On the Internet or on a large corporate network, for example, routers serve as intermediate destinations for network traffic. These routers receive TCP/IP packets, look inside each packet to identify the source and target IP addresses, then forward these packets as needed to ensure the data reaches its final destination.

Routers for home networks (often called broadband routers) also can join multiple networks. These routers are designed specifically to join the home (LAN) to the Internet (WAN) for the purpose of Internet connection sharing. In contrast, neither hubs nor switches are capable of joining multiple networks or sharing an Internet connection. A home network with only hubs and switches must designate one computer as the gateway to the Internet, and that device must possess two network adapters for sharing, one for the home LAN and one for the Internet WAN. With a router, all home computers connect to the router equally, and it performs the equivalent gateway functions.

Additionally, broadband routers contain several features beyond those of traditional routers. Broadband routers provide DHCP server and proxy support, for example. Most of these routers also offer integrated firewalls. Finally, wired Ethernet broadband routers typically incorporate a built-in Ethernet switch. These routers allow several hubs or switches to be connected to them, as a means to expand the local network to accomodate more Ethernet devices.

In home networking, hubs and switches technically exist only for wired networks. Wi-Fi wireless routers incorporate a built-in access point that is roughly equivalent to a wired switch.

[nightelph]

+1

If you want more than one PC to be able to access the internet, you'll need a router.

[TollhouseFrank]

+1

If you want more than one PC to be able to access the internet, you'll need a router.

not necessarily. Depends on his service.

Some include the router internally in the modem (like many dsl and fiber-optic services). If that's the case, all he needs is a good switch.

However, if there is no router built into the modem (like most cable services), then he needs a new router/switch combo.

[Bogie]

would what i have linked work for me? and thank you for all the replys

[xoke]

would what i have linked work for me? and thank you for all the replys

No.

[MooMasster716]

No.
I think it would. Tell me this
*model of router thats on the way out
*do you have a dedicated dsl modem or is it a all in one thing? Model Number.

The router you linked to is used when you have a dedicated dsl modem for one pc.

A switch in that situation would be used in this order:
Modem ----> Router ----> Switch
In this case a switch would probably used to make more ports for more pcs.

If you have a modem/router then you can go
Modem ---> Switch

[Bogie]

i went with a switch seems easy to connect everything up , thank you for all ur replys and help

[xoke]

i went with a switch seems easy to connect everything up , thank you for all ur replys and help

Good luck, I hope your modem has a router built in.

[Bogie]

i have a wireless router also that i can connect the switch to.

[xoke]

i have a wireless router also that i can connect the switch to.


Ah, didn't read that in the OP. Glad you got things worked out.