Switching vs Routing | What is the Difference?

In computer networking, routing and switching are essential for transferring data between devices. Both processes help ensure data reaches its destination efficiently.

Switching and routing have distinct roles in transmitting data across networks. Knowing the difference between switching and routing is important for anyone involved in network design or management.

In this article, we will explain the difference between switching and routing with examples and diagrams, to show how each of them is used in a computer network.

Further, to learn more about the terminologies and their working in real IT infrastructure, join our networking courses.

What is Switching? 

Switching refers to the process of sending data within a local area network (LAN) or a network segment. It uses switches, which are used to connect multiple devices, such as computers, printers, and servers, within a single network.

Switches work at the Data Link Layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model and use MAC addresses to identify devices on the network. A switch receive data packets from the sender, determines the receiver, and forwards them accordingly. Switches keep a MAC address table to map devices’ MAC addresses to specific ports on the switch. When a switch receives data from a device, it checks this table to forward the data to the correct destination. 

Example of Switching: Different computers in an office can print using a single printer as it is connected to their LAN.

Read our detailed article on What is Switching?

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What is Routing? 

Routing is the process of transmitting data between different networks. It is handled by routers, which operate at the Network Layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model.

Routers determine the best path for data to travel across different networks, such as between two LANs or from a LAN to the Internet. They use IP addresses to make forwarding decisions, and they rely on routing tables to determine the most efficient path for data. Routing is essential for larger networks or the internet, where data needs to travel across multiple networks and subnets.

Routers can connect local networks to wide area networks (WANs) and enable communication between different types of networks, including private and public networks.

Example of Routing: For instance, when you access a website, the router directs the data packets from your device to the appropriate destination network (the website's server) using its IP address. The router makes decisions about the best path for the data based on its routing table. 

Read our detailed article on What is Routing?

Difference Between Routing and Switching 

The primary difference between switching and routing is that switching operates within a single network (Layer 2), forwarding data based on MAC addresses, while routing operates between different networks (Layer 3), forwarding data based on IP addresses. 

Below is a table outlining the key switching and routing differences: 

Routing vs Switching with Example

Let's compare switching vs routing in a real-life scenario and understand the difference between them.

Imagine you're at a large university with a campus network (LAN) and the internet. The local network inside the campus consists of multiple devices such as computers, printers, and servers, connected to switches. When you send a file to a printer within the same building, the switch forwards the data based on the printer’s MAC address. 

However, if you want to access a website outside the university’s network, your device sends the request to a router, which uses the website's IP address to forward the data request through multiple routers until it reaches the appropriate web server. The router ensures the data is sent across the internet and returns the response to your device. 

Summing Up!

In summary, while switching and routing both play crucial roles in the world of networking, they are distinct processes that serve different purposes.

Switching is concerned with local data transfer within a network, based on MAC addresses, and operates at Layer 2 of the OSI model. Routing, on the other hand, is focused on forwarding data across multiple networks, using IP addresses, and operates at Layer 3. 

Both switching and routing are essential for modern communication systems, from small LANs to vast global networks like the Internet.

By understanding the difference between switching and routing with examples, network engineers can better design networks that meet the needs of users while maintaining performance, scalability, and reliability.