What is a Switch?

What is a Switch?

A switch is used in a wired network to connect Ethernet cables from a number of devices together. The switch allows each device to talk to the others. (Switches aren't used in networks with only wireless connections, since network devices such as routers and adapters communicate directly with one another, with nothing in between.)

Although you can use the ports on the back of a router or modem to connect a few Ethernet devices together, depending on the model, switches have a number of advantages:

Switches allow dozens of devices to connect.
Switches keep traffic between two devices from getting in the way of your other devices using the same network.
Switches allow control of who has access to various parts of the network.
Switches allow you to monitor usage.
Switches allow communication (within your network) that's even faster than the Internet.
High-end switches have pluggable modules to tailor them to network needs.

To understand the differences see Selecting Between the Types of Hubs and Switches.

Switches targeted for home uses, or for small businesses are described here.

Switches targeted for larger networks, medium to large businesses are described here. Due to their complexity, unlike with other NETGEAR products, Layer 3 Managed Switches — one of the available types of business switches — do not have any free support.