A network switch is a small device that centralizes communications between several connected devices in a single local area network (LAN).
Hub, Switch and Router Explained – What's the Difference?
Standalone Ethernet switching devices were widely used in home networks many years before broadband home routers became popular. Modern home routers integrate Ethernet switches directly into the unit as one of their core features.
High-performance network switches are still widely used in corporate networks and data centers. Network switches are sometimes also called switching hubs, bridging hubs or MAC bridges.
Ethernet switches are the most common type, but there are also switches optimized for ATM, Fibre Channel, and Token Ring network architectures.
