A Local Area Network or LAN may seem a simple network; however, it comprises several equipment. Network switches, modems, splitters, and bridges are a few important types of devices that are regularly used in LAN. These devices are designed for specific tasks, still, there are several confusions regarding their use. These confusions can be eased only if one understands the equipment and their functioning better. This article offers side by side comparison of these devices and helps ease your decision making process.
Switch/Network Switch vs. Modem
Switches and modems are widely used in home networking or LANs. Although these devices may have common features like ports on their front or back, they rarely communicate directly with each other. These ports are used to establish connection among different devices. The modem and switch is connected to either ends of the router. The network traffic from a switch goes to the modem and then to the router. The regular switches are replaced by network switches in large industrial networks like data centers, growing enterprises, campuses, and so on. Both switches and modems are available in different configurations to meet your application requirements.
Switch vs. Bridge
A switch channels the input data to an appropriate output port and plays a key role in delivering data to the intended device through hardware. Against this, a bridge connects multiple LANs in growing enterprises. There are a lot of physical ports in a switch, while a bridge may have two or four ports depending on the network it divides. Switches and bridges both are designed to improve the performance of a network. As said before, in switches, data forwarding is performed using various types of hardware, while in a bridge, this data forwarding is controlled through software. A switch is usually used to connect different devices in a network. Sometimes computers as well as routers also act as bridges in a network. Owing to their physical differences and purposes, it can be rightly said that a switch can be helpful in connecting different devices in a network, while bridges can only connect few LANs.
Splitter vs. Bridge
An Ethernet splitter is a device that is used to reduce the use of wires in a network. It is mainly used if one has to deal with lot of short cables and a couple of long cables. It enables users to utilize one cable for two Ethernet connections. Using Ethernet splitters for several devices may result in slow speeds, which is why a splitter must be limited to only two Ethernet connections. A bridge works on a higher level by connecting two or four LANs in a network. A bridge is quite unlike splitter in its purpose, and is an integral part of growing enterprises. The use of Ethernet splitters is not recommended owing to limitations they pose. They are often replaced by switches in industrial enterprises.
Switch vs. Splitter
A switch and a splitter is used for the same purpose – to connect devices in a network. Switches offer lot of flexibility in terms of their application. They can be used as standalone devices or in a group, however, Ethernet splitters are used in pairs. Switches need input power to divide signals, while splitters do not require any power input. Switches assure high network speed, even if several devices are connected to them. Against this, the splitters may lower the network speed if multiple devices are connected. Splitters are usually used to connect two devices in a room, while switches form the backbone of the LAN.
By looking at their definitions and comparisons, one can easily understand their advantages and disadvantages. If you are planning to build a high-speed network utilizing any of the aforementioned devices, it is important to source them from trusted manufacturers. VERSITRON is an industry-leading manufacturer of media converters, modems, network switches, and so on. The copper to fiber and fiber to fiber media converters offered by the company have been an integral part of several fast growing enterprises over the years. They are used by military, government, and commercial end users, and are installed in thousands of applications across the world.
