Switch Vs Router

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What is a switch?

Switch Vs Router

A common point of confusion when setting up a home network is the difference between a router and a switch. A switch connects computers on the same network, though it does not provide Internet access. A switch will allow multiple computers to share an Internet connection through one machine. However, if that main computer crashes, all other systems on the computer network will also lose their connection. This means that the main computer must be functioning at all times for the others to maintain their connection. As more computers are added to the network, performance will decline because the main computer is handling the traffic load for all the others. Then you are stuck with a network of slow computers.

The wireless router will connect all computers and devices on the same network, but will also provide Internet access independent of the other machines. The machines can share Internet access, but remain independent of one another, without the burden of having to purchase more than one IP address from your provider. One computer crashing will not disrupt the connections of the others.

   

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