Switching is a cost-effective way of increasing the total network capacity available to users on a LAN. If an Ethernet network begins to display:

1. symptoms of congestion,
2. low throughput,
3. slow response times
4. high rates of collision

Installing a switch to a network can preserve much or all of the existing network's cabling and workstation interface card infrastructure, while still greatly enhancing the throughput for users. A switch is a viable solution even if demanding applications, such a multimedia production and video conferencing, are on the horizon. The most promising techniques, as well as the best return on investment, could well consist of installing the right mixture of Ethernet switches.

A switch increase capacity and decrease network loading by dividing a local area network into different LAN segments. Dividing a LAN into multiple segments is one of the most common ways of increasing available bandwidth. If segmented correctly, most network traffic will remain withing a single segment, enjoying the full line speed bandwidth of that segment.

Switches provide full line speed and dedicated bandwidth for all connections. This is in contrast o hubs, which use th traditional shared networking topology, where the connected nodes contend for the same network bandwidth. When two switching nodes are communicating, they are connected wit a dedicated channel between them, so there is no connection for network bandwidth with other nodes. And as a result, the switch reduces considerably , the likelihood of traffic congestion.

For Ethernet networks, a switch is an effective way of eliminating the problem of chaining hubs beyond the "two-repeater limit." A switch can be used to split parts of th network into different collection domains, making it possible to expand your Ethernet network diameter limit for base 100BASE-TX networks. Switches supporting both 10Mbps Ethernet and 100Mbps Fast Ethernet are also ideal for bridging between existing 10Mbps networks and newer 100Mbps networks.

Switching LAN technology is a marked improvement over the previous generation of networks hubs and brides, which were characterized by higher latencies. Routers have also been used to segment local area networks. Today switches are an ideal solution for mos kinds of local area network congestion problems.

I have uses both router (D-link DI 604) and switch (D-link DES 1008D) here at our internet cafe. I prefer this brand due to economical and quality.