Understanding the Networking Switches

Understanding the networking basics is very essential to operate any network. A simple network in any organization works by connecting computers and peripherals using two pieces of equipments- switches and routers. They enable the devices in a network juction to communicate with each other. Though routers and switches look similar, however, they perform very different functions in a network.

Switches:

Switches are used to connect multiple devices on the same network. For instance, a switch creates a network of shared resources. It means that it  can connect your computers, printers and servers all together.  

Those switches that run on a software defined protocol are known as SDN Switches. They form the one aspect of networking basics. They require a controller, which allows the various devices to share information between each other. The most important benefit of switches are information sharing and resource allocation. They also save money and increase work efficiency, by fast netwok sharing.

There Are Two Basic Types Of Switches:

           1.      Un-managed Switches

           2.      Managed Switches

Un-managed Switches:  Un-managed switch works out of the box. It does not allow you to make any changes within the network. Home-networking equipment typically offers unmanaged switches.

Managed Switches: A managed switch provides greater flexibility to your networking. They have the inbuilt function that allows you to program it. The Managed switches like SDN Switches   can be monitored and adjusted locally or remotely. This helps to give a control over network traffic.

 Routers:

Routers are the other most important component of your network. They are used to tie multiple networks together. A router is used to connect your networked computers to the web and thereby share a connection among multiple users. The router act as a dispatcher, choosing the ideal route information to travel so that you receive it quickly.

They analyze the data being sent over a network and change its packaging. They also send the information to another network. This is an essential step to connect your business to the outside world. Not just they play a role in building connection, they also protect your important information from security threats. You network computers can be prioritized on the basis of security.

A router is chosen on the basis of your business or networking plans. Different types of routers have different capabilities.

Three Basic Types of Routers are:

        1.      Firewall: This is a specialized networking software that examines incoming data. It also protects your business or home network against virus attacks.

        2.      Virtual Private Network (VPN): It allows remote employees to safely access your network remotely.

         3.      IP Phone Network: This helps in joining computer and telephone network altogether. IP Phone network, as the name itself suggest, make use of voice and conferencing technology.  This helps in the simplification of communication between the various interfaces.

There are a number of benefits of using SDN Switches and Routers on a network. They allow an efficient operation of networks, increased automation, and deployment of new applications more quickly. All this can happen without upgrading the existing infrastructure. It is expected that operating infrastructure costs can come down  by reducing the capital expenditure.