this post was submitted on 18 Apr 2024
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cross-posted from: https://lazysoci.al/post/12597342

Okay, I've been watching lots of YouTube videos about switches and I've just made myself more confused. Managed versus unmanaged seems to be having a GUI versus not having a GUI, but why would anyone want a GUI on a switch? Shouldn't your router do that? Also, a switch is like a tube station for local traffic, essentially an extension lead, so why do some have fans?

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[โ€“] superb@lemmy.blahaj.zone 5 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (8 children)

A router usually can do all that but it also does a whole lot more, like NAT, DHCP, etc. Sometimes you need a just a switch that understands VLANs and link aggregation

[โ€“] sabreW4K3@lazysoci.al -2 points 7 months ago (2 children)

Isn't there some overlap between NAT, DHCP and DNS, they feel like they should be the same thing? Or am I oversimplifying it? Because DHCP is assigning IP addresses, DNS is looking up IP addresses and NAT is saying that IP address points there ๐Ÿ‘‰๐Ÿพ

[โ€“] FutileRecipe@lemmy.world 6 points 7 months ago (1 children)

Isn't there some overlap between NAT, DHCP and DNS, they feel like they should be the same thing?

Absolutely no overlap. Now, can a conventional home router do all those? Typically NAT and DHCP, but not too often DNS (except to point at a real DNS). That's like saying "isn't there overlap between milk and eggs? I mean, sure, they deal with animals and stored in the fridge, but used for different purposes."

Because DHCP is assigning IP addresses, DNS is looking up IP addresses and NAT is saying that IP address points there ๐Ÿ‘‰๐Ÿพ

Sure, they deal with IP addresses and some devices (home routers) can do 2-3 of those fuctions, but that doesn't mean they overlap. I can read a book (IP) and my book (IP) can be stored in a book bag or on a book shelf, but that doesn't mean myself, the bookbag, and the bookshelf overlap.

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