Combination Boxes
In relatively small networks, the functions of two or more network control devices are often combined into a single box. For example, a router that connects the network to the Internet could also include a built-in switch that connects several nodes, or a DSL modem might be matched with a gateway router. Many other combinations are also widely available.
If you can find one that meets your network's requirements, a combined package is almost always a better choice than two or more separate pieces. A single unit is almost always less costly than separate components because the case and the power supply account for a major portion of the total price, and it's often easier to configure the network when one device handles several ...
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