Networking This or that

Switch or Router? Four Mix-Ups Fixed

Do you know the difference, or do you just think you do?

Lesson notes

Describe how frames move within a LAN using MAC addresses, switches and Ethernet

Key points

Switch / Router: A switch forwards frames by MAC inside a LAN; a router forwards packets by IP between networks.
MAC address / IP address: A MAC is a 48-bit hardware address on the local link; IP is logical and routable.
Frame / Packet: A frame is the data link unit with MAC addresses; a packet is network-layer with IPs.
OSI / TCP/IP: The Internet actually runs on TCP/IP; OSI is the seven-layer reference model for teaching.

Takeaway: Switch: MAC, frames, one LAN. Router: IP, packets, between networks.

Quick check: Which device learns MAC addresses to forward frames in a LAN?

Router
Switch
Hub

A switch records source MACs per port and forwards frames only to the right port.

MAC addressframeswitchEthernet

Lessons like this, for your syllabus.

Short narrated study videos written for your course, level and exam. Free to start.

Get lessons for your own syllabus