How to Set up a Network Switch With a Router?

Network switch and router, these are two main devices used in computer networks. However, most people have no idea how to use them and set up Network switch with a router. After that let’s figure out the difference of network switch vs router and learn how to set up a network switch with a router.

What's Network Switch and How it Works

A network switch, normally mentioned as a multiport network link, is a computer networking device that connects other devices on a computer network. It controls the flow of data within a network through transmitting a received network packet only to the one or more devices for which the packet is planned.
 
After that, how does a network switch work? Usually, a network switch uses hardware addresses to process and forward data at the data link layer (layer 2) of the OSI model. Although sometimes, it may also process data at the network layer (layer 3) by additionally incorporating routing functionality. It provides different nodes (typically computers) to communicate with each other in an easy and efficient manner.
 
Today, Ethernet switch is the most common form of network switch. Moreover, one of its most normal type gigabit Ethernet switches which used at earlier time with a lower speed up to 1 Gbps, another type, 10GbE switch is also very famous with a higher speed up to 10 Gbps.
 
Actually, 25G, 40G or even 100G switches have aroused more attention with much higher speed. These Ethernet switches along with different port numbers of 8/16/24/48 ports and port configuration of RJ45, SFP, etc.

Router in Networking

A router is known as a networking device that links data packets between computer networks. This is for connecting networking devices to the internet so that various users can share a connection. Usually, a router works as a dispatcher. It manages data traffic from the modem and routers it to a variety of devices.
 
Routers use protocols like ICMP (Internet Control Message Protocol) to inform each other and configure the best route among any two hosts.
 
Many routers have four Ethernet ports which permit you to plug in up to four devices. In case you need more than four Ethernet connections then you need to update to a router through a larger port bank (usually up to eight ports) or to use a network switch alternatively.

Network Switch vs Router

Above, it is clear that network switch and router are both computer networking devices that permit one or more computers to be connected to other computers, networked devices, or to other networks.
 
Whereas switches allow different devices on one network to communicate, routers allow different networks to communicate. In fact, a switch raises networks while a router connects networks.
 
Moreover, routers can be used in LANs, WANs, and MANs because they have both WAN and LAN ports, whereas switches can only be used in LANs. Furthermore, a router uses IP address for data transmission, while a network switch uses the MAC address.

Guidance to Set up a Network Switch With a Router

If you have less than 4 devices to use in one network, you can use one router connecting a modem and don’t need to expand your network. Although, while the number of devices is over 4, a network switch is necessary. You can use the network switch to extend your wired network with more ports.

There are a number of switches of different port counts such as 8-port, 16-port, 32-port switches available in the market.

Steps to Set up a Network Switch on Router

Step 1: DIsconnect all the power supplies of cable modem, network switch and wireless router.

Step 2: Plug your modem to the telephone wire. Then, connect one end of an Ethernet cable to the Ethernet port on the back of the modem.

Step 3: Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable connected with modem into your router’s WAN port.

Step 4: With the help of another Ethernet cable to connect one of your LAN ports in the router to a network switch port.

Step 5: Connect the power supplies of three devices.

After the setup, your network is expanded and you can connect more than 4 devices using the internet.
 
Conclusion
 
As I mentioned above all the information about the difference of network switch vs router, so now you have a better command on how to set up a Network Switch With a Router.