Unlike a router which is capable of creating and routing between multiple networks, a switch is a device that’s designed only to facilitate communications for devices on the same network.

A router connects your local network to the internet and manages the flow of data between networks, while a switch helps devices within the same network communicate with each other.

A quick guide to managing a network switch versus a network router from PC Periodicals columnist George Cox.

Most wireless routers today are a combination of multiple features in one box: a router, a wireless access point, a basic firewall, and a small Ethernet switch.

If you disable routing on the second router, and use it only as a Wireless access point and switch, then you should disable DHCP as well, and give it an IP address in the subnet of the first router.

These two devices help power your home internet connection. It helps to know how they function. Here are the details.

The difference is that a modem takes whatever data you need and sends it to the internet, whereas a router allows the devices in your home to wirelessly connect to the internet from the modem.