How Do Switches Differ to Network Routers?

The primary difference between the switches and routers is that a switch allows multiple devices on the same IP network to communicate with each other. A router allows multiple different networks to communicate with one another. An example of a router is a Wi-Fi router which connected the local network an external connection and network provider.

Routers, hubs and switches can seem to provide similar functions due to the range of functions built into the devices. An example being multiple ethernet ports. Even when combination products include both router and network switch functions, their roles remain technically separated.