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Digital Literacy How the Internet Works The Internet Routers and Switches

dvir abuksis
dvir abuksis
14,608 Points

ports and switch

Hi!, Joy said: "While you probably don't have a switch at home since there are few ports built into your home router". And I did not really get it, so I would love an explanation about that and explanation about ports as well? thanks :)

1 Answer

Jennifer Nordell
seal-mask
STAFF
.a{fill-rule:evenodd;}techdegree
Jennifer Nordell
Treehouse Teacher

Hi there, dvir abuksis ! In your home, you may have a computer or two connected by cable to your router. Maybe a PS4 or some other type of console. But imagine that you want to set up a classroom with 15 computers with cables to the router. Now there might be a problem because it's run out of room. There are no "ports" left to plug them into. Instead, you can buy/acquire a switch. You plug the switch into the router. It takes up one slot/port on the router, but it has 48 ports. One port will be taken by the connection to the router, but the other forty-seven ports can be used for computers, game consoles... anything that needs a wired internet connection.

Hope this helps! :sparkles:

dvir abuksis
dvir abuksis
14,608 Points

Thanks, Now I get it :)