router or switch?

[WhiteFireDragon]

what is the difference between a router and a switch? if all i want to do is share internet connection, would a switch be fine?

 

[cohen]

Switch is for a LAN, you can plug a access point into it

Router almost the same just some have built in wireless.

 

[Geoff]

A switch is used to forward traffic, a router is used to route traffic. The main differences being that a router provides DHCP, DNS, and is used to share an internet connection. A switch is used to provide more available ports, to either a router, server, or modem.

 

[Quick69GTO]

In adition to the previous responces,
If you need wireless, use a wireless router.
If you have cable internet, you will need a wired or wireless router.
If you have DSL, the DSL modem is a router so a wired switch will work and so will a router.

 

[jsagraves]

Maybe you can help me with this...

I have a D-Link (wired) router on one side of my room with a connection going to my computer. Another connection goes from the router to my entertainment system on the other side of the room with PS3. I was wanting to expand that connection to go to my satellite receiver, so I just bought a Linksys 5-port (wired) router.

Can I run one connection from my router (again, the other is going to the computer) to my Linksys switch in order to connect from the switch to the PS3 and satellite receiver? I only want to have one cable going across the room and not 2 or 3.

I currently have connections going from the router to the switch to the PS3 and satellite receiver, but now the PS3 doesn't recognize my computer to stream files. Nor does the satellite receiver recognize any internet connection. What do I need to do to make this work with just one cable extending across the room?

 

[Geoff]

Yes, you can have one cable go from the router to a switch, and then have 2-3 coming off of the switch. But you said you bought another Linksys Router, you shouldn't have more then one router for what you want to do, unless it was a typo.

 

[osischool]

To be more accurate.
Router route traffic on the 3th layer (network) while switch route traffic on the 2nd layer(link).
whatever routers nowadays provides (DNS, etc...) is simply an extension to the main.

 

[osischool]

To be more accurate.
Router route traffic on the 3th layer (network) while switch route traffic on the 2nd layer(link).
whatever routers nowadays provides (DNS, etc...) is simply an extension to the main function.


---------------------------------
Interactive network tutorials
www.osischool.com