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WTF is up with switches? (lazysoci.al)

submitted 6 months ago by sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al to c/homenetworking@selfhosted.forum

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Okay, I've been watching lots of YouTube videos about switches and I've just made myself more confused. Managed versus unmanaged seems to be having a GUI versus not having a GUI, but why would anyone want a GUI on a switch? Shouldn't your router do that? Also, a switch is like a tube station for local traffic, essentially an extension lead, so why do some have fans?

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[–] sexy_peach@beehaw.org 3 points 6 months ago (1 children)

A switch will allow a star shaped network. The switch is in the middle and connects all devices that are plugged in.

[–] sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al 2 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I always thought the router was the heart of the network, but it seems a router doesn't actually do very much.

[–] lost_faith@lemmy.ca 2 points 6 months ago (1 children)

More like the bouncer. It communicates with the outside world, ensures the correct device inside your network talks to its intended outside network (NAT), and several other things that I have forgotten.

[–] sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al 2 points 6 months ago (1 children)

Sorry to make you dig in your brain, there's far more fun things to do with your Thursday afternoon. But I appreciate it. I feel like my ISPs over simplify things and that's lead to my misconceptions.

[–] lost_faith@lemmy.ca 2 points 6 months ago (1 children)

I used to do tech support for non tech savvy people and couldn't use the jargon, so I got good at giving enuf info to know how things work without bogging them down in terminology, terminology is scary for some people. Answering like another did further down would require me to actually dig in my brain, and would illicit a confused dog look from my old clients, but what they said about the OSI layers is the real answer.

[–] sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al 2 points 6 months ago

I'm grateful for your experience and expertise.