Part - I

Switches:
A network switch is a small hardware device that joins multiple computers together within
one local area network (LAN). Switches are incapable of joining multiple networks or sharing
an Internet connection. A home network with a switch must designate one computer as the
gateway to the Internet, and that device must possess two network adapters for sharing, one for
the home LAN and one for the Internet WAN. With a router, all home computers connect to the
router equally, and it performs the equivalent gateway functions
Nowadays switches are used by most business to connect computers, printers and servers within
a building or campus. A switch serves as a controller, enabling networked devices to talk to each
other efficiently. Switches can save business money and increase employee productivity though
information sharing and resource allocation.

Advantages of Network Switches

There are some advantages of network switch such as it handles network traffic successfully,
while making efficient use of the available network bandwidth.

Packet Handling of Network Switches: The ability to route packages to designated end
locations is one of the key advantages to using network switches. This is a great leap
forward from hubs, which are only able to send packages without specification from one

device to all other devices attached to their network. This ability to designate specific end

locations prevents Ethernet collisions from occurring.

Collision Management of Network Switches: When two computing devices attempt to
transmit information at the same time, then collision generally occurs. This in turn causes
the signals to collide on the wire. The devices should try to retransmit the data later on. In
general, the collision will increase depending on the number of the devices on a network.
Network switches eliminate collisions by creating a direct on-the-fly connection between
the sending and receiving devices or computers. This improves performance and

efficiency across the network, allowing for complete bandwidth availability.

Bandwidth Utilization of Network Switches: Network switches allow for the
availability of the full gigabit of bandwidth for each connection. This means that network
performance remains unaffected by multiple devices working on the same switch.
Network switches are therefore able to send and receive data at the same time, unlike

hubs.
Problem Isolation of Network Switches: Each device operates on its own wire within a
network switch. This makes it easier to pinpoint the area of concern if a problem arises on
a given switch port. It also allows other devices to continue to function normally without

disruption.
Transparent: Switches learn the location of the devices that they are connected to
instantly. The net result is the most network traffic only goes where it needs to rather than

to every port. On busy networks, this can make the network significantly faster.
Cut-through architecture: The data frame begins to exit the switch almost as soon as it
begins to enter the switch.

Disadvantages of Network Switches

There are also some disadvantages of network switches. Such as:
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 Sometimes faulty frames are forwarded in cut-through architecture.

Network switches tend to be difficult to install and use.
They often require extensive training to repair if the network goes down.
In addition, configuration is necessary when handling multicast packets, which can be

complicated.
Buyers should take extra precautions when running switches in modes that leave the
network susceptible to security risks. These risks include spoofing of IP address and the
capturing of Ethernet Frames.

Reasons behind buying and using a switch:

Cheaper than a router.

Users can still connect the switch to a router. Multiple switches can use the same router.
Quicker than routers for internal communication. Less latency at LAN. But many routes
have an Ethernet switch built in

Routers:
A router is a networking device that forwards data packets between computer networks. Routers
perform the "traffic directing" functions on the Internet. A router is connected to two or more
data lines from different networks (as opposed to a network switch, which connects data lines
from one single network). When a data packet comes in on one of the lines, the router reads the
address information in the packet to determine its ultimate destination. Then, using information
in its routing table or routing policy, it directs the packet to the next network on its journey.

Historical and technical information: The very first device that had
fundamentally the same functionality as a router does today was the Interface Message Processor
(IMP). IMPs were the devices that made up the ARPANET, the first packet network. The idea for
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a router (called "gateways" at the time) initially came about through an international group of
computer networking researchers called the International Network Working Group (INWG). Set
up in 1972 as an informal group to consider the technical issues involved in connecting different
networks, later that year it became a subcommittee of the International Federation for
Information Processing. These devices were different from most previous packet networks in two
ways. First, they connected dissimilar kinds of networks, such as serial lines and local area
networks. Second, they were connectionless devices, which had no role in assuring that traffic
was delivered reliably, leaving that entirely to the hosts. The idea was explored in more detail,
with the intention to produce a prototype system, as part of two contemporaneous programs. One
was the initial DARPA-initiated program, which created the TCP/IP architecture in use today.
The other was a program at Xerox PARC to explore new networking technologies, which
produced the PARC Universal Packet system; due to corporate intellectual property concerns it
received little attention outside Xerox for years. Sometime after early 1974 the first Xerox
routers became operational. The first true IP router was developed by Virginia Strazisar at BBN,
as part of that DARPA-initiated effort, during 1975-1976. By the end of 1976, three PDP-11based routers were in service in the experimental prototype Internet. The first multiprotocol
routers were independently created by staff researchers at MIT and Stanford in 1981, the
Stanford router was done by William Yeager, and the MIT one by Noel Chiappa, both were also
based on PDP-11s. Virtually all networking now uses TCP/IP. From the mid-1970s and in the
1980s, general-purpose mini-computers served as routers. Modern high-speed routers are highly
specialized computers with extra hardware added to speed both common routing functions.

Types of Routers-Broadband Routers: Broadband routers can be used to connect

computers or to connect to the Internet. If you connect to the internet through phone and using
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Voice over IP technology (VOIP) then you need broadband router. These are often a special type
of modem (ADSL) that will have both Ethernet and phone jacks.
Wireless Routers: Wireless routers create a wireless signal in your home or office. So, any PC
within range of Wireless routers can connect it and use your Internet.
Edge Router: This type of router are placed at the edge of the ISP network. They are normally
configured to external protocol like BGP (Border gateway protocol) to another BGP of other ISP
or large organization.
Subscriber Edge Router: This type of router belongs to an end user (enterprise) organization.
Its configured to broadcast external BGP to its providers AS(s).
Inter-provider Border Router: This type of router is for Interconnecting ISPs, this is a BGP
speaking router that maintains BGP sessions with other BGP speaking routers in other providers
ASs.
Core Router: A router that resides within the middle or backbone of the LAN network rather
than at its periphery. In some instances, a core router provides a step-down backbone,
interconnecting the distribution routers from multiple building of a campus (LAN), or Large
enterprise Location (WAN). They tend to be optimized for a high bandwidth.
Wired and Wireless Routers: Home and small office networking is becoming popular day by
day by the use of IP wired and wireless router. Wired and wireless router are able to maintain
routing and configuration information in their routing table. They also provide the service of
filtering traffic of incoming and outgoing packets based on IP addresses. Some wireless routers
combines the functions of router with those of a network switch and that of a firewall in one.

Things we should consider before buying a Router: We live and work in an

untethered world, and your home or our small business is no different. When you initially built
your network, you may not have seen the need for wireless. Now that your company has grown
and your workforce has become more mobile, you may be considering adding wireless to your
network. Wireless offers a lot of benefits, such as allowing your employees to work from
anywhere and providing Internet access to visiting guests. If youve been looking at adding
wireless connectivity to your companys network, you know it can be confusing. Theres the
alphabet soup of standardsb, g, n and terms like dual-band, selectable, and two
radio. When looking for a wireless router, you first want to check whether its b, g, or n.
The letters refer to the wireless communication standard on which the router is based: 802.11b,
802.11g, and 802.11n. The first generation of wireless routers was b, followed by g, and now
nthe newest generation. The primary difference among the router standards is speed (more
on that in a bit) and range. You wont find many b routers available anymore (except on eBay,
perhaps) because its old technology.
Single and Dual: Wireless communications operate in two bands2.4GHz and 5GHz. Routers
based on 802.11b and 802.11g standardsand some n routersuse the 2.4GHz band;
however, the 802.11n standard allows wireless devices to use the 5GHz or 2.4GHz band. Routers
that operate only in the 2.4GHz band are referred to as single band. Wireless n dual-band
routers are also available as selectable or simultaneous models, sometimes referred to as
single radio or two radio, respectively. A selectable wireless n router, can operate in either
2.4GHz or 5GHz mode; a simultaneous n device can operate in both frequencies at the same
time. In Wi-Fi wireless networking, dual band is the capability to transmit on the 5 GHz band of
802.11a and also the 2.4 GHz band used by 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11n. Dual-band routers
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contain two different types of wireless radios that can support connections on both 2.4 GHz and
5 GHz. The 5GHz band provides better performance and coverage due to less interference.
Speed: Wireless router performance varies by standard with 802.11b providing the slowest
speeds at up to 11Mbps. Wireless g routers deliver a maximum speed of 54Mbps while devices
based on the 802.11n standard are fastest, topping out at 300Mbps.
Security: Most routers currently support standard WEP securities as well as the more secure
WPA and WPA2. If you want to control what users can access when they are connected to the
router, you want to have one that offers decent Access Controls. Ciscos RV Series Routers have
very effective Access Control settings and controls that allow limiting internet use based on time
of day. Guest Access and an ability to create multiple SSIDs are also important security measures
if you are using the router for a small business. Together, these two features allow you to
segment your network into separate areas for guests and trusted users.