Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. A router is technically a device for directing packets of data ...

Josh Hawkins has been writing about science, gaming, and tech culture for over a decade. He's a top-rated reviewer with extensive experience helping people find the best deals on tech and more.

Routers and network switches aren't the same hardware—depending on your setup, you may need both.