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1. Introduction
Internet access requires some of the common devices such as modem, router, switch, and access point. A modem is used to connect to the Internet. A router acts as a gateway to the computer network and is placed between a modem and a switch or hub.
A switch connects devices such as a desktop, laptop, and access point to the router. An access point connects a device wirelessly. Sometimes modem, router, switch, and access point come all bundled in one device.
In this tutorial, we’ll try to explain the concept behind each of these terms and explore various aspects of it.
2. Computer Network
A computer network is a group of connected computers that can transfer data to each other. The Internet is a vast, sprawling collection of computer networks. The devices can be connected using wires, cables, and WiFi.
Several kinds of hardware and infrastructure go into making the Internet work for the home. The most important devices are the following:
- Modem – a modulator-demodulator hardware device that connects to the internet
- Routers – connects a modem to different computer networks, ensuring that Internet traffic goes to the right networks
- Switches – connect devices within a single network, transfer incoming and outgoing internet traffic between the connected devices
- Gateway – regulate traffic between two or more dissimilar networks
- Access Point – this connects devices using wireless (WiFi)
3. Routers vs. Switches
The table below shows a comparison between Routers and Switches:
| Router | Switches |
|---|---|
| Share a network connection with multiple devices | Limited features for controlling broadcasts |
| Delivers data packets in an organized way | Requires inter VLAN routing |
| Offers a reliable and continuous connection | Multicast data packets requiring complex configuration |
| Operate at Layer 3 (Network) of the OSI model | Operate at layer two (Data Link Layer) of the OSI model |
| Maintains IP address in the routing table | Maintains MAC address in a lookup table |
| Every port has its own broadcast domain | Has only one broadcast domain except VLAN implemented |
| Can be used for wired and wireless network | Can be used in wired network only |
3.1. Use of Switches and Routers
A switch is designed to connect devices within a computer network, while a router is designed to connect across multiple computer networks. To connect with the internet in a home network, a single router is sufficient.
Switches are mostly used in large computer networks connecting many computers within a single local area network (LAN). Depending on the size of a network, multiple switches may be required to connect different groups of computer networks.
To provide Internet access to the connected networks, switches are further connected to a router. The router has the advantage of getting internet access by using a single modem for all the devices in the network.
The router also supports a fast rate of data transmission because it uses high STM links for connectivity. Depending on the use, routers are of different types such as Wireless Router, Brouter, Core router, Edge router, and Broadband router.
4. Router vs. Gateway
A gateway is usually a device that can be used to connect two networks that use different models such as the OSI model and the Internet model. A gateway can be implemented as a router or switch using software, hardware, or a combination of both, depending on the types of protocols to be used across the network.
There are several differences between the gateway and router as shown in the table below:
| Router | Gateway |
|---|---|
| Can only work with similar networks | Can work with dissimilar networks |
| Using TCP/IP and UDP protocols | Using different protocols |
| Routes data packet from one network to another based on internal routing tables | Converts the data packets protocols from one format to another |
| Support both static and dynamic routing | Doesn’t support both |
| Connect purely dedicated physical hardware | Can connect a physical and virtual device |
When there is a need for an out-of-the-box solution that requires almost no programming, low maintenance, a gateway is used.
The gateway can also be used as a combo of modem and router to reduce the cost, lessen interoperability issues, and safeguard the security of the network.
5. Access Point
The access point is a device within the LAN and is used for extending the wireless coverage of a computer network. This can increase the number of users that can connect to a computer network.
Access point device transforms the wired signal into a wireless and establishing connection with other devices in the network using WiFi.Sometimes, wireless routers can be used as access points.
Access points only provide access to devices based on the router’s established network. There are several types of access points according to the type of installation (In-wall and Ceiling), supported frequency band (Single and Dual), and use (Indoor and Outdoor).
6. Conclusion
This tutorial has provided an overview of the routers, switches, access points, and gateway devices. First, we discussed how these devices are connected to a computer network. We then talked about the differences between these devices and their use.
To conclude, knowing about the routers, switches, access points, and gateway, is beneficial in understanding the internet access for a computer network and troubleshooting.