A router connects separate networks, while a switch connects devices within one local area network (LAN). A router forwards IP packets using destination IP addresses and routing information; a Layer 2 switch forwards local network frames using MAC addresses. In many homes and small offices, both devices work together: the router links the LAN to other networks, and a switch can add wired connections for local devices.
What is the difference between a router and a switch?
| Question | Router | Layer 2 switch |
|---|---|---|
| Where does it work? | Between separate networks, such as a local network and the internet. | Within one LAN, connecting local devices. |
| What information guides forwarding? | Destination IP address and routing information. | Learned MAC addresses. |
| What is its typical job? | Move traffic between networks and provide a path from the LAN toward the internet. | Connect devices on the LAN or add wired network connections. |
| Can it do more? | Routers use routing tables to decide where to send IP packets. | Some advanced or multilayer switches can also perform routing; not every switch is limited to Layer 2. |
These are the typical roles, not an absolute division: capabilities depend on the device. Cisco’s switching explanation describes switches as connecting devices within a LAN and routers as connecting LANs to other networks or the internet.
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How does each device forward traffic?
Router: follows IP addresses and routes
When a router receives an IP packet to forward, it checks the destination IP address and consults its routing information to determine where the packet should go. This lets it pass traffic between networks rather than merely move it among devices on one LAN. See Cisco’s overview of routing.
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A Layer 2 switch learns the MAC addresses associated with its ports and uses that information to forward local network frames through the appropriate port. Its ordinary role is to connect devices on the same LAN. Cisco explains how network switching works.
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Do I need a router or a switch?
- Choose a router when you need to connect separate networks, such as connecting a home or office LAN to the internet.
- Consider a switch when your LAN needs additional wired connections for computers, printers, or other network devices. A basic unmanaged Ethernet switch is typically intended for straightforward, plug-and-play connectivity.
A switch does not replace a router when the goal is to connect the LAN to another network. It adds local connections; the router remains responsible for routing traffic between networks.
Can a switch connect to a router?
Yes. Connect a switch to an available LAN port on the router, then connect wired devices to the switch. The switch extends the number of wired connections available on the local network; it does not itself provide the router’s network-to-network function. Cisco’s small-business switching guidance describes using a switch with a router to extend wired connections.
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When can a switch also route?
Some multilayer or advanced switches can perform routing functions as well as switching. So “switches use MAC addresses, routers use IP addresses” is a useful description of a Layer 2 switch’s usual role, not a rule that every device called a switch lacks routing capability. Check the specific model’s features if you need it to route between networks; the product name alone does not establish that capability. Cisco discusses this overlap in its switching overview.
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