The purpose of this guide is to offer some simple definitions to help differentiate these devices..

Hub

A device that makes connections between connected devices, but the connections can be competitive.  Data packets on a hub can move between any connected devices, but they may create collisions among the packets reducing network speed.

Switch

A device that makes connections between connected devices and that examines the destination of each data packet, sending it to the appropriate port on the switch for that packet's destination.  Data packets on a switch can move between any connected devices, but they are insulated from creating data packet collisions between the switch's ports.

Router

A device that accepts a Wide Area Network (WAN) signal (usually via a WAN port) and that makes it available to a network of connected computers.  Routers also typically provide DHCP (Dynamic Host Communication Protocol) and NAT (Network Address Translation) features that allow each connected PC to request and get an internal IP (Internet Protocol) number that let’s them connect to and surf both the network and the Internet (e.g. via the WAN connection).  This also protects each PC (or other devices) from having IP numbers that can be seen and used to route into them by the outside world.  More and more routers (particularly ones for homes and small offices) add one or more of:

• Firewalls (more protection against outside folks getting in),
• Switches,  and even
• Wireless access transmitters

All these capabilities are now routinely included in the same box making them multi-functional and replacing what would typically be 3 or 4 special purpose boxes just a half dozen years ago.

If you are interested in learning more about firewalls you may wish to review our Guide titled: "Firewalls for Computers-The What, Why & how?"

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