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Old 02-08-2009, 06:03 PM   #7 (permalink)
DavidHB
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 151
OS: Vista x64 SP1; XP Pro; Ubuntu 8.10


Re: Switch or routers

Quote:
Originally Posted by bilbus View Post
A real router is only a router, a home grade / very low end one can have a integrated switch and / or wireless.
That's probably true, in the original meaning of the term. But the meaning of the term has expanded; most of the (no doubt) millions of devices sold as routers that are currently in use are multi-function as I described. Indeed, so far as I can tell from a quick scan of the Linksys and Netgear websites, all the devices they now sell as 'routers' have some form of switch built in.

There's no point in arguing about the meaning of words, but it's only fair to jarod to explain that the term 'router' can have a range of meanings. However, what is common to all these meanings is the idea of insulating the LAN from the WAN/internet, and of providing a controlled gateway between the two.

David
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