> Is a router a switch or a hub? Technically, neither... but the average router MAY contain either a switch or a hub.
To simplify for the layman... A hub connects multiple similar devices together. They all share the minimum bandwidth (the entire network is dumbed down to the slowest device). A switch connects multiple similar devices together, but each device has its own bandwidth, so slower devices will not cause faster devices to be dumbed down. In addition, the switch enables non shared bandwidth, so any given pair of devices can operate at their own unique minimum speed (again, a given connection is only as fast as the slowest device, but now the connections are done only between the two devices talking at that moment. So a 100 Mbs computer talking to another 100 Mbs computer will see the full 100 Mbs. The same 100 Mbs computer then talks to a 10 Mbs printer, and they see only 10 Mbs of bandwidth while talking, meanwhile other 100 Mbs items may be talking together at the full 100 Mbs). A router connects two different networks together using a set of rules that allow traffic to flow betwen the networks. A router need only have one interface, but can have multiple interfaces, and is often combined with a hub or switch. A bridge connects two different networks, much the way a router does, except it works blindly. It just takes the info from one side and passes it to the other. A bridge is usually used when connecting two physically different types of networks (wired and wireless for instance), but can also be used to connect two similar networks. A Modem works like a bridge, except it reencodes the data to a radically different style of transport, and decodes the incoming traffic in the same way (ie: digital to analog). Obviously there are much MUCH more accurate and exact definitions available for the above, but they are good layman ways of thinking of the different devices you are likely to encounter. Also, in today's world, you often see combination devices that may contain multiples of the above in one box. For instance, your average SoHo class "Wireless Router" is usually a router, switch, and bridge all in one box. Some DSL providers are now giving away Wireless DSL Modems. Those contain a router, a switch, a bridge, and a modem all in one box. -chris <http://www.mythtech.net> -- The iMac List is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Refurbished Drives | - Epson Stylus Color 580 Printers - new at $69 | & CDRWs on Sale! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> iMac List info: <http://lowendmac.com/imac/list.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[email protected]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/imac-list%40mail.maclaunch.com/> --------------------------------------------------------------- iPod Accessories for Less at 1-800-iPOD.COM Fast Delivery, Low Price, Good Deal www.1800ipod.com ---------------------------------------------------------------
