Routers
Because a router is a network device that directs packets through the network, communication is based solely on the network layer of the OSI model. A router understands the network layer addressing in a packet. The algorithms used, called routing protocols, build tables to determine the route a packet should take to reach its final destination. For a multiprotocol router, the routers will keep a separate routing table for each network layer protocol that will be routed. For instance, a router can route TCP/IP traffic at the same time it routes AppleTalk traffic.
Comparing the bridge and switch to a router is simple. A bridge or switch connects two or more networks into a single logical network, whereas a router connects two or more ...
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