Network Switch Vs Router – Do I need both for my home network?
Two of the most common networking devices today are switches and routers. Here, we’ll look at how they differ and compare and give a detailed review of some of the best products yet.
A router and switch are both networking devices that allow more than one computer and other device to be connected to them either through a wired or wireless connection. However, they are built for different functionalities. While routers are more common due to their use in homes and institutions, switches are used for large network setups such as in enterprises, schools and hotels. A switch is used to provide wired access for other devices and acts as a central connection point for different devices. It works by reading the MAC address of the connected devices and using it to send data to the right destinations. This is the reason switches usually have many ports compared to other networking devices. A router’s main function on the other hand is to direct data within a network. It allows both wired and wireless connections.
Table of Contents
What are the differences between aSwitch and Router?
Devices |
Switch |
Router |
Ports |
Multiport bridge (24 to 48) |
Between 2 and 8 depending on the brand |
Form of data in transmission |
Frame and Packet |
Packets |
Transmission type |
Unicast and Multicast |
Unicast and Multicast |
Speed |
1 Gbps or 10/100 Mbps |
1-100 Mbps (Wireless); 100 Mbps – 1 Gbps (Wired) |
Mode of transmission |
Full or half duplex |
Full duplex |
Layer |
Layer 2 (data link layer) |
Layer 3 (Network layer) |
Type of address |
MAC address |
IP address |
Product |
Router vs. Switch – How do these devices compare?
Functionality and use
In terms of functionality, a router is much more complex than a switch. Routers work by receiving TCP/IP packets of data and reads the source and destination address for the packet. It then forwards the packet to the right destination. On top of this, routers also perform Network Address Translation (NAT) that allows all the connected devices to share one public address. NAT is what makes all your home devices share the same network under one address. Lastly, routers come with built in firewalls to protect devices against hacks and other malicious attacks. A switch on the other hand is more hardware based. It is used to connect multiple computers and devices within one Local Area Network. Switches cannot share an internet connection or communicate with more than one network. Because of this, when you use a switch, there has to be a dedicated computer acting as a gateway that connects to the internet.
Routers combine elements of a switch and gateway meaning they are much more versatile than switches.
Wired Connectivity
Routers continue to prove their versatility as they support both wired and wireless connections. Almost all come with at least two Ethernet LAN port. For wireless connections, router support WLAN and WPS. Switches are used for wired connections and do not support wireless communication with connected devices.
Intelligence
Intelligence is a property of networking devices that defines how sophisticated a network device is in terms of functionality. A router is considered intelligent while a switch is unintelligent. This is because a router is a combination of hardware and software that works together to improve performance. Switches are hardware based devices used for physical connections.
Ports
Ports are essential for networking devices. Here, switches win as they come with lots of ports. In fact, switches feature up to 48 ports. Routers on the other hand come with a maximum of 10 ports. Switches are also more versatile in the type of ports supported. They contain Ethernet LAN and WAN ports, USB ports and SFB ports for servers’ connection. This is because switches are built for networking on large scales such as hotels and schools. Routers usually feature an Ethernet port and USB port. High performance routers may come with SFB connection points. Switches are the better option if all you want is to connect multiple devices physically.
Address
For these devices to operate, they need to read the addresses of the sent and received data. A router uses IP address for operations since a router reads from multiple different devices (mobile phones, smart TVs and laptop). IP addresses are global and are unique identifiers for every connected device. A switch uses MAC addresses during operation because they operate on a single network.
Setup and configuration
When you first buy any of these devices, you have to set them up and configure them to your personal needs. Routers come a built in operating system that is used to configure the router. The operating system is able to communicate with respective devices. The software is what enables the router to communicate with mobile apps. Mobile apps are the used to monitor the operation of the remotely.This is part of the reason routers are intelligent. Switches on the other hand are ready to go devices. all you need to do is turn them on and you’re good to go.
Switch vs Router – A Comparison Overview
Switch
A switch is an electric network device that is used to connect multiple computers together in one network. This process is referred to as bridging and this is the reason they are also referred to as bridging devices. The only difference between them and an actual bridge is that switches can read and learn new MAC addresses dynamically. Other than computers, other devices can be connected to it through Ethernet connections. Because of this, you will find that switches usually have lots of ports (between 24 and 48 on average but some have up to 100 ports). In addition, a switch works on Layer 2 of the OSI model – data link layer and uses packet switching to process and forward received data.
A key point to note is that switches are unintelligent devices, and there are a couple of reasons for this. First, they lack network address translation which allows the connected devices to share one public address. Another reason for this is that switches are used for LAN connections. This means if you want to connect to the internet using a switch, you will need a gateway for WAN. The following are some of the best switches you can find in the market today.
Netgear Nighthawk S8000 Gaming Switch
- ETHERNET PORT CONFIGURATION: 8 Gigabit ports
- CONFIGURATION & CONTROL: Management software with easy-to-use GUI interface offers basic capabilities to...
Gaming switches are the most recent type of switches we have today. Their growth in popularity is due to the smart features added to them compared to older traditional switches. The Nighthawk s8000 is a gaming switch with exceptional abilities and excellent design. The switch features a futuristic look design with sleek sharp edges and a glowing LED light at the top of the unit. It is also designed to be very slim (as most switches are) for easier placement in the house or office. Since the switch is designed for gamers, it comes with fully customizable RGB LED control for full immersion into a game. We also loved the sturdy feel of the switch in the hand.
When it comes to connection, the switch features 8 gigabit Ethernet ports which is adequate for any gaming PC and other secondary gaming devices.With a speed of up to 1 Gbps, the Nighthawk S800 for any gamer looking for a high performance switch with high speeds.
TP-Link TL-SG105
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If you’re looking for a low budget affordable switch but still want the perks of using wired Ethernet connections, the TP Link TL SG is the switch for you. With 5 umanaged ports, the switch is a great addition of ports into your network setup. All the ports are full duplex meaning that data can be processed at high speeds of up to 2 Gbps. When it comes to design, the switch features the old rectangular box design. The mechanical design is sturdy and solid for durability.
Routers
Today, solid network connections are vital for homes and businesses. There is a wide selection of routers to choose from and there is always something for everyone. A wireless router should be able to deliver great signal consistently and over a reasonable distance. The following are some of the most popular routers we have today.
TP Link M5
- If you're looking to ditch your traditional router extender setup for a whole Home Wi-Fi system, put the...
- Better coverage than traditional Wi-Fi routers: Deco M5 uses 3 units working seamlessly to create a mesh...
The TP Link M5 is a mesh system that comes as a default package with three router pieces inside the box. The three units to cover a space of 4500 sq. feet. The TP Link M5 is a dual band Wi-Fis router with MUMIMO capability. It is an amazing router that offers value for money from some of the default features it comes with. For instance, the router comes with an integrated anti-malware and antivirus software. Such security features go a long way in making the router safe from hacks and harmful internet malware. The software and other integrated firmware are constantly updated to match new malware and internet threats.
Asus RT-AC86U
- Connector Type : USB
- Dual-band (2.4 plus 5 GHz) AC2900 wireless router with the latest 802. 11AC MU-MIMO technology for data...
One of the best home router you can buy today is the RT AC86U. This router was released in mid-2019 and has since grown a lot in popularity. The main reason for this is the excellent speed and range offered by this little device. The router provides a total throughput speed of 2900 Mbps which is rather impressive from just a single router. It also provides a range of up to 4000 square feet which is ideal for most regular sized homes and small offices.The router supports wired connections with four LAN gigabit Ethernet ports, a USB 2.0 port, a USB 3.0 port and one WAN port. Other features include: MUMIMO, adaptive QoS and Traffice Analyzer. The only downside to this router might be the high price tag attached to it.
Model |
Netgear Nighthawk S8000 |
Asus RT-AC86U |
Ports |
8 |
7 |
Speed |
1 Gbps |
3.2 Gbps |
Special features |
MUMIMO, adaptive QoS and Traffice Analyzer |
MUMIMO, adaptive QoS and Traffice Analyzer, Power saving |
Size |
5.2 x 5 x 2.1 inches |
13.2 x 3.9 x 9.5 inches |
Color |
Black |
Black |
Availability |
Conclusion
Choosing the right device for your depends on your needs. If you’re a gamer, the best switch would be the Netgear’s Nighthawk with Asus RT router. Otherwise, TP Link SG 105 is a much more balanced and affordable option.
