What is exactly in a home router?

I have a small question. what is exactly 'in' a linksys (your company name here) wireless router? Wireless is layer 2. So, is it a router, (4 port) switch, or both? I have seen a video on Youtube and have seen that only one card is inside.

Thanks!
es

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KGhaleon

A miserable pile of secrets.

networker050184

Most home routers are a router/switch combo, so both. Most have a four or so port switch, wireless ap and a WAN port. The box does the routing between the switch, wireless and the internet.

tiersten

Assuming a generic home wireless router then it will be wireless AP + router + switch.

The wireless AP tends to be integrated into the router itself as just another network interface.

All of the components are usually built into one single PCB now. Early models used to have the wireless interface as a separate card.

examseeker

haha.. lots of 'secrets'

Thanks for the info guys..
es

mamono

Hey, there are secrets because there are stickers that say, "Not for export outside of the USA!"

Paul Boz

They are "swouters" as Jeremy Cioara puts it.