What is a "Network Switch"?

Introduction:

What is a Network Switch? - this short web-page hopes to enlighten the un-initiated public - without a lot of jargon or special background to the whys and wherefores of a network switch.

The subject-matter here, (switch) is - in this web-page, primarily related to the HomeLAN environment. Other, more exotic switches are available (into the $100's of thousands of dollars) but they are primarily for VERY BIG LAN environments in VERY BIG Corporations.

For the "HomeLAN" user a switch is merely a place to plug-in all the home-computers so that they can share the 'LAN' functionality of printer, file and internet connection sharing.

A LAN Switch is like a multi-road intersection - people come and go through the intersection to get from one point to another. The Packets of Information travelling about your LAN will use the switch to get to/from other places using the LAN Switch as if it were a train-or bus or subway station where a lot of 'lines' come in and people can get off of one line and onto another.

MANY people that build a HomeLAN have purchased or will purchase a router and they find that the router typically has a 2-3-4 port switch in the same box? - That's fine - and in that case - assuming you only have 2 or 3 computers a router with a built-in switch may be all you need. However, when you need to expand beyond the number of ports (number of computers) that is on your LAN you'll have to buy a second switch (typically one in it's own box). Most switches from reputable manufacturers (such as LinkSys, Cisco, EasyNet, NetGear, 3Com, HP, etc. come in multiples of 4 ports - that is a 4, 8, 16, 24, 32 port switch - most households don't need anything much larger that 8, maybe 16 ports. - If someone wants to sell you more - ask some hard questions - like look at the $$ / port you're paying - it should be less than $10 / port...

So - now you know what a switch