Router vs Switch

Though they look quite similar, routers and switches perform very different functions in a network:

Switches are used to connect multiple devices on the same network within a building or campus. For example, a switch can connect your computers, printers and servers, creating a network of shared resources. The switch would serve as a controller, allowing the various devices to share information and talk to each other. Through information sharing and resource allocation, switches save you money and increase productivity.

There are two basic types of switches: managed and unmanaged.


An unmanaged switch works out of the box and does not allow you to make changes. Home-networking equipment often will have unmanaged switches.
A managed switch allows you access to program it. This provides greater flexibility because the switch can be monitored and adjusted locally or remotely to give you control on how traffic travels over the network and who has access to your network.

Routers are used to tie multiple networks together. For example, you would use a router to connect your networked computers to the Internet and thereby share an Internet connection among many users. The router will act as a dispatcher, choosing the best route for your information to travel so that you receive it quickly.

Routers analyze the data being sent over a network, change how it is packaged and send it to another network or over a different type of network. They connect your business to the outside world, protect your information from security threats, and can even decide which computers get priority over others.

Depending on your business and your networking plans, you can choose from routers that include different capabilities. These can include functions such as:


Firewall: specialized software that examines incoming data and protects your business network against attacks
Virtual Private Network (VPN): A way to allow remote employees to safely access your network remotely
IP Phone network : Combine your company's computer and telephone network, using voice and conferencing technology, to simplify and unify your communications

Hello, friend!

These are the differences between router and switches:

Advantages of routers

Here are some pros/benefits of routers:

• they help to share a network connection with multiple machines that increases productivity;

• a router allows delivering the packets of data in an organized way, which helps to lower the data load;

• routers offer a steady and reliable connection between network hosts;

• routers make use of the alternative parts in case the main part fails to transfer data packets.

Advantages of switches

Here are the pros/benefits of using switches:

• they help you to reduce the number of broadcast domains;

• support VLAN's that can help in Logical segmentation of ports;

• switches can make use of CAM table for Port to MAC mapping.

Disadvantages of routers

Here are the cons/drawback of routers:

• connections can become slow when multiple computers are using a network. This situation is described as a connection wait;

• a router helps multiple computers to share the same network, which may lower the speed.

Disadvantages of switches

Here are the cons/drawbacks of using switches:

• not as good as a router for limiting broadcasts;

• communication between VLANs requires inter VLAN routing, but these days, there are many multilayer switches available in the market;

• handling multicast packets that requires quite a bit of configuration & proper designing;

• they help to reduce the number of broadcast domains.

For recommendations on switches & routers you can check the below links:

• https://e.huawei.com/en/products/enterprise-networking/switches;

• https://e.huawei.com/en/products/enterprise-networking/routers.

Thanks!