network

A collection of items like computers, printers, phones, and other electronic items that are connected together by switchesA switch helps direct network traffic to the right destination. At a high level, it's very similar to a router. Technically, switches are used to create local subnetworks; routers connect subnetworks together. and routersAn electronic box that helps steer data on a network. For instance, you may have one in your home connecting your phone and computer and other devices to each other and to the internet. The data itself has information about where it's being sent; the router uses that information to send it in the right direction. At a really basic level, you can think of a router and a switch as being the same thing. If you want to get more technical, a switch creates a local subnetwork, and the router connects multiple subnetworks (or multiple networks).. A network allows the connected devices to talk to each other electronically. The internet is an example of an extremely large network. Your home network, if you have one, is an example of a small local network.