Switching vs. Routing

Switching vs. Routing  What is Switching? Switching is the process of transferring data packets from one device to another in a network, or from one network to another, using specific devices called switches. A switch is a hardware device in a network...

Switching vs. Routing  What is Switching? Switching is the process of transferring data packets from one device to another in a network, or from one network to another, using specific devices called switches. A switch is a hardware device in a network that connects and helps multiple devices share a network without their data interfering with each other. -Operates at Layer 2 and 3 of the OSI Model. Data link Layer – deals with MAC addresses to determine where to send data. Network Layer – deals with IP addresses.  Types of switching Message Switching: This is an older switching technique that has become obsolete. In message switching technique, the entire data block/message is forwarded across the entire network thus, making it highly inefficient.  Types of switching Circuit Switching: In this type of switching, a connection is established between the source and destination beforehand. This connection receives the complete bandwidth of the network until the data is transferred completely.  Types of switching Packet Switching: This technique requires the data to be broken down into smaller components, data frames, or packets. These data frames are then transferred to their destinations according to the available resources in the network at a particular time. This switching type is used in modern computers and even the Internet.  Devices Used in Switching Switch: Connects multiple devices within a network. Hub: Broadcasts data to all connected devices. Bridge: Connects two or more network segments.  What is Routing? Routing refers to the process of directing a data packet from one node to another. It is an autonomous process handled by the network devices to direct a data packet to its intended destination. Note that, the node here refers to a network device called - 'Router'.  Types of Routing? Static Routing is also called as “non-adaptive routing”. In this, routing configuration is done manually by the network administrator. Default Routing This is the method where the router is configured to send all packets toward a single router (next hop). It doesn’t matter to which network the packet belongs, it is forwarded out to the router which is configured for default routing. Dynamic routing makes automatic adjustments of the routes according to the current state of the route in the routing table. Dynamic routing uses protocols to discover network destinations and the routes to reach them.  Devices Used in Routing Router: Connects multiple networks and determines the best path for data. Layer 3 Switch: A switch with routing capabilities. Gateway: Connects different network architectures or protocols. Key Differences Between Switching and Routing Feature Switching Routing OSI Layer Layer 2 (Data Link) Layer 3 (Network) Data Handling Uses MAC addresses Uses IP addresses Scope Within the same Between different network networks Devices Used Switch, Hub, Bridge Router, Layer 3 Switch, Gateway Speed Faster Comparatively slower due to path determination  Summary Switching is used for communication within a network. Routing is used for communication between different networks. Both are essential for efficient data transmission.