Switches and routers are both networking devices that are used to connect devices in a computer network. Although they share some similarities, they have distinct differences.

Function: A switch is used to connect multiple devices on the same network, while a router is used to connect different networks.

Network Layer: A switch operates at the Data Link Layer (Layer 2) of the OSI Model, while a router operates at the Network Layer (Layer 3).

Addressing: A switch forwards frames based on the Media Access Control (MAC) address of the device, while a router forwards packets based on the Internet Protocol (IP) address.

Broadcast: A switch forwards broadcast frames to all devices on the same network, while a router does not forward broadcasts between different networks.

Subnetting: A switch does not support subnetting, while a router can be used to divide a network into subnets.

Security: A switch does not offer any security features, while a router can be configured with various security measures like access control lists (ACLs) and firewalls.

Speed: A switch can provide high-speed data transfer within a network, while a router is slower in comparison due to its processing of routing tables and protocols.

Scalability: A switch can support a larger number of devices on a network, while a router is limited by the number of its available ports.

Configuration: A switch is easy to configure and requires minimal configuration, while a router requires more complex configuration due to its role in connecting different networks.

Price: Switches are generally less expensive than routers.

Quality of Service (QoS): A switch can support QoS features like prioritization of traffic, while a router can provide more advanced QoS features like traffic shaping.

Connection Types: A switch generally supports Ethernet connections, while a router can support various connection types like Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and serial connections.

Redundancy: A switch can be configured for redundancy through the use of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), while a router can be configured for redundancy using protocols like Hot Standby Router Protocol (HSRP) and Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol (VRRP).

Distance: A switch is used for short-distance connections within a network, while a router can be used to connect networks over long distances.

Network Traffic: A switch is used for local network traffic, while a router is used for both local and remote network traffic.

VLAN Support: A switch can support VLANs (Virtual Local Area Networks) which can be used to logically segment a network, while a router can also support VLANs but it requires additional configuration.

Routing Protocols: A router uses routing protocols like OSPF, BGP, and RIP to determine the best path for routing packets between networks, while a switch does not use routing protocols.

NAT (Network Address Translation): A router can perform NAT, which allows multiple devices on a network to share a single public IP address, while a switch does not perform NAT.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol): A router can act as a DHCP server, assigning IP addresses to devices on a network, while a switch does not have DHCP functionality.

WAN Support: A router is typically used to connect a local network to a wide area network (WAN), while a switch is not used for WAN connections.

Overall, network switches and routers serve different purposes in a network and are used in different scenarios depending on the network architecture and requirements. While switches are used to connect devices on a local network and provide high-speed data transfer, routers are used to connect different networks and route packets between them.