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difference betwwen: switches - routers - hubs

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KryptoS

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Feb 7, 2001
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Hey there,

can someone tell me what the difference is between: switches, routers, hubs and bridges???

thank you
The One And Only KryptoS
 
a hub sends every packet to every port

a bridge examines the packet's MAC address and sends it down the wire only if that MAC address is down that wire

so a switch is a multi port bridge, each packet goes only to those ports that will have the device it is intended for

a router examines packet's IP address, and trys to find the cheapest way to that IP domain, unlike bridges and switches it is not very interested in the MAC address The one thing you can't give for your heart's desire is your heart. - Lois McMaster Bujold
 
I'll just expand a little more on the information already given.

A repeater is another important networking device that simply regenerates a signal (analog or digital), which increases the distance between devices on your ethernet network. A hub is simply a multi-port repeater.

While a bridge and router both connect separate LAN's or segments in the same LAN, a router uses specifically ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol), which is just an extension of IP. ICMP is how routers talk to each other to figure out the best route to a destination. Bridges simply function without protocols, letting the packets flow freely through them to the next network (makes network transmissions through just 2 networks combined by a bridge faster).

Another networking device not on the list is a brouter. This device works as both a router and a bridge, looking at all TCP/IP packets (router) however, not taking the time to look at any other packets, and forwards them right on through (bridge).

Hope that helps

The being of the future
ZON
 
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