Thread: what is diference between a wireless router and wireless switch?

Hii..I want to know the difference between a wireless router and a wireless switch.I am a BSNL Broadband user..BSNL provides the wireless router and no switch is required with it for wireless internet access..But at the same time if i have got a normal router(not wireless) then also i can connect a wireless switch to the router to get wireless access..So whats the basic difference between the two?
Which method is good?
1)using wireless router.
2)using normal router with wireless switch.

Please tell me diffrence between the 2.
I use internet for heavy downloading,Internet calls,video streaming so which wireless router or switch is good for me?and at the same time good range is also important..Price also a factor ..please help me..

well, first of all there is a modem, where u can cannot 1 comp. Then, u have a modem+router, where u can connect one to four computers (depending on number of ports available in the hardware? ofcourse even more comps if u use a switch). Then u have a modem+router+wireless. Basically, what is better between a wireless router and a wireless switch depends on your requirements. a wireless switch is just an extension to have a wireless connection.
If you need wireless at a distance or in second or third floor (at a distance from your router), then a wireless switch will be better, as you can place the wireless switch at a place apart from the router (ofcourse u connect it with the router through a cat cable), so that u get a good signal. whereas with wireless modem the range depends on where u keep the router.
if u already own a router, a wireless switch will be a cheaper option.

A router(whether wired/wireless) is used to connect two different types of networks whereas a switch is used to extend a network capacity. In your case you can connect your normal switch to the wireless router and use it to connect wired computers to internet and at the same time connect wireless devices to the internet(in PPPoE mode).Whether to use a switch or not depends on your need. i.e. if you need to connect more than 4 wired computers you need a switch otherwise you can connect upto 32 wireless devices and 4 wired devices without any addition of hub/switch to bsnl type-IV modem/router. There is no added benefit of using one more switch if you connect less number of devices as mentioned above

thanks for the reply....I think a wireless switch is better for me as my house is very large .Can you suggest me some models of switch which i can purchase?

Originally Posted by mvb4u

A router(whether wired/wireless) is used to connect two different types of networks whereas a switch is used to extend a network capacity. In your case you can connect your normal switch to the wireless router and use it to connect wired computers to internet and at the same time connect wireless devices to the internet(in PPPoE mode).Whether to use a switch or not depends on your need. i.e. if you need to connect more than 4 wired computers you need a switch otherwise you can connect upto 32 wireless devices and 4 wired devices without any addition of hub/switch to bsnl type-IV modem/router. There is no added benefit of using one more switch if you connect less number of devices as mentioned above

About Your Computer: Dell Latitude D620 User's Guide


[quote]
wireless switch — Turns on/off wireless devices such as Wi-Fi
and internal cards with Bluetooth technology and scans for
wireless networks. For more information about scanning for wireless networks,
see Dell™ Wi-Fi Catcher™ Network Locator.[quote]

A wireless router is a network device that performs the functions of a router but also includes the functions of a wireless access point. It is commonly used to allow access to the Internet or a computer network without the need for a cabled connection. It can function in a wired LAN (local area network), a wireless only LAN, or a mixed wired/wireless network. Most current wireless routers have the following characteristics:

* LAN ports, which function in the same manner as the ports of a network switch
* A WAN port, to connect to a wider area network. The routing functions are filtered using this port. If it is not used, many functions of the router will be bypassed.
* Wireless antennae. These allow connections from other wireless devices (NICs (network interface cards), wireless repeaters, wireless access points, and wireless bridges, for example).

para two: video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UFh0W_Z3kI
Reviews:
http://www.reviewgist.com/wireless-router-reviews

He says that he use a wireless modem/router

Originally Posted by ashoksaini

well, first of all there is a modem, where u can cannot 1 comp. Then, u have a modem+router, where u can connect one to four computers (depending on number of ports available in the hardware? ofcourse even more comps if u use a switch). Then u have a modem+router+wireless. Basically, what is better between a wireless router and a wireless switch depends on your requirements. a wireless switch is just an extension to have a wireless connection.
If you need wireless at a distance or in second or third floor (at a distance from your router), then a wireless switch will be better, as you can place the wireless switch at a place apart from the router (ofcourse u connect it with the router through a cat cable), so that u get a good signal. whereas with wireless modem the range depends on where u keep the router.
if u already own a router, a wireless switch will be a cheaper option.

First, place the wireless router(supplied by BSNL) at a central place in your home and check the signal strength at different places in your home(roam around with your laptop) and if there be any signal problem then consider adding wireless range extender

Originally Posted by abhikaushikin

thanks for the reply....I think a wireless switch is better for me as my house is very large .Can you suggest me some models of switch which i can purchase?