| Basis of Comparison | Router | Switch |
|---|---|---|
| Description | It is a layer 3 device that connects the two different networks and identifies the network devices based on their IP addresses. | It is a layer 2 device and determines the network devices based on their MAC addresses. |
| Mode of transmission | Router transmits the data in the form of packets. | Switch transmits the data in the form of frames. |
| Address used | It uses an IP address for the data transmission. | It uses a MAC address to transmit the data. |
| Layer of OSI model | It uses Layer 3 OSI model and layer is the network layer. | It uses layer 2 OSI model and layer is the data link layer. |
| Table | It uses a routing table for routes to move to the destination IP. | It uses a Content address memory table for MAC addresses. |
| Network used | It is used for WAN and LAN networks. | It is used only for LAN networks. |
| Mode of transmission | Router is used in a full-duplex mode. | A switch is used in half as well as in a full-duplex mode. |
