what is a router switch??

Answer 1

a router switch would be a switch with an embedded router or, in other words, a layer 3 switch. Some networks, especially larger ones, have multiple subnets for improved security, more efficient use of bandwidth and/or better organization (just to name a few).

With normal switches, it is impossible to see, much less access other subnets, so, like accessing the internet (a conglomeration of separate networks), a device with routing capabilities is necessary - - enter the the layer 3 switch.

A layer 3 switch affords better performance (throughput wise) than a standalone router. An L3 switch is, after all, a switch and most customers expect that the routing capabilities can keep up with the switching performance of the switch. Standalone routers (aka router on a stick) can perform this same function but rarely are capable of keeping up with a high performance network.

Answer 2

A router is used to connect local area networks to other networks. The most common use you will see is connecting machines from home or office to the Internet. A router with more than one connection (LAN ports) is either a router/hub or a router/switch, as it incorporates the router function and that of a switch or hub, both of which connect multiple machines to any single point.

Answer 3

The latest generation of Ethernet switches are known as router switches. They support layer 3 (IP) routing, so you could subnet your network LAN if you want. Because they are silicon based versus software based like a "router", they are considerably faster and scale to much larger topologies.

Normal Ethernet switches make switching decisions based on destination MAC address. A routing switch makes switching decisions based on destination IP address.

Cisco Catalyst & Nortel ERS8600 are examples of a routing switch.

Answer 4

A router and a switch are similar. A router joins multiple area networks (WAN,LAN) together whereas a switch joins multiple computers to a network.