What is the difference between a switch and a router?
1363394
A router is more sophisticated than a network switch. A router can include a firewall and DHCP support.
1363395
Switches create networks, routers connect networks. Multiple devices connected at a location (PCs, game consoles, tablets, etc.) are a Local Area Network. The Internet is a separate network, connecting your LAN to the Internet requires a router.
207317
There is no difference in speed, both are gigabit Ethernet switches. I can't say if there is any internal difference with the new one because I don't have it. But the plastic one works great for me
2134288
There is a connection on the back for connecting a switch or other device. This is best used with a wireless router to create a wireless bridge to another location in the home or office.
2128082
You cannot use this as a router, you would need to turn your computer off to work this switch.
428341
It acts like a switch (with or without POE = POE can be turned off) , if you need routing you have to add that on
2038817
Yes. This is a basic switch, so connecting it to your router can serve as a useful extension of wired ports off your router. I disagree with the previous answer that indicated this unit is a router. It is not. It is a switch. Your router logs into your ISP, provides firewall, implements DHCP, and possibly your wireless service (etc). This device is not capable of doing any of that.
97835
I have mine connected directly into my router - one of the eight ports. I am not sure if it will work via a switch that is connected to the router - but I tend to believe it will because when you obtain this unit, you connect it directly to a laptop or desktop and set it up with an IP address and name and password for the wireless, and thus when you connect it in the location you desire, at that point, it is just another device on your network - so as long as it is wired, my "guess" is that it will work through the router directly or the switch connected to the router, but I have never tested that scenario. Hope this helps a little.
1570331
You have to use the smaller one to connect to your router and the second one you plug somewhere else and have a 4 port switch ready to use.
966658
You will need a router any time you want to share the internet with more than one device. Essentially what happens is your internet service provider gives you 1 IP address. The router will take that one IP address and use something called Port Address Translation (PAT) to share the internet connection to multiple devices. The problem is, those stinking routers only come with 4 wired ports. If you want to share your internet connection with more than 4 wired devices (not typical), buying a switch (like this one) can help you achieve that goal. But you will still need the router to start out. You will need a router any time you want to share the internet with more than one device. Essentially what happens is your internet service provider gives you 1 IP address. The router will take that one IP address and use something called Port Address Translation (PAT) to share the internet connection to multiple devices. The problem is, those stinking routers only come with 4 wired ports. If you want to share your internet connection with more than 4 wired devices (not typical), buying a switch (like this one) can help you achieve that goal. But you will still need the router to start out.
876358
Hi, Depend of your switch, if your switch is 1000MB the speed will be seted automatically.The speed of the hard drive is important too when you transfer something over the network.Regards
35484
Make sure you are using a router and not just a modem with a switch. A switch won't split a single IP address up, that's what a router does. The switch just directs traffic from the router.
1421206
Nope. These newer routers can autosense straight line vs. crossover automatically, so you don't have to worry about that anymore. If you buy another model that still has the crossover port, it will be clearly marked, and usually has a switch, but those are becoming ancient history.
783383
Whether the router line enters a Low, Med, or High port on the switch, there is no impact on the speed of connected devices. I tested this. Also, the relative speed of connected devices does not vary between the Low, Med, or High ports unless there is a lot of traffic (e.g., streaming HD video) on a higher-priority port. The switch will then take some bandwidth from lower priority ports to ensure the quality of service on the higher priority port. Nearly all of the time, all ports will operate at the same high speed. WD should really document these things better, because while they're obvious to IT professionals, they're far from obvious to the home users that this product is marketed towards.
1648870
I have had the router two years and have not experienced any problems of any kind. I am not aware of any on/off switch problems that others have experienced. If you are considering purchasing this router I would recommend it. It is one of the better made tools I have and my upper end tools are all pro quality.
908926
This is a router not an AP. You will not need a managed switch. Keep in mind that this router is very powerful and with that comes some complexity in mgmt. So far though it has been worth a little extra time. Excellent product.
1691878
No, this is a 'switch' which splits the signal from your router to multiple wired devices...
1705841
It's a switch not a router. You would have the line coming from your cable/dsl modem go to a router then it would go to the switch. The router handles the natting and the dhcp. If you cable/dsl modem is also a router then you can connect it directly to this for more wired connections.