When you connect devices together so 0:00 that they can talk to each other, you create what's called a network. 0:02 One way to accomplish this is with routers and switches. 0:07 Routers are intermediary devices that route data to its correct destination, 0:10 meaning routers connect multiple networks in order to move data around. 0:16 Switches physically connect local networks. 0:21 And while switches have a similar purpose to routers, 0:24 switches are much less intelligent than routers. 0:27 Now let's learn about how switches create a local network and 0:30 routers connect those networks. 0:33 A router is made to take data packets destined for 0:37 places outside the local network, and move them from point A to point B. 0:40 Just like clients and servers, routers use protocols to talk to each other and 0:45 figure out the more efficient way to send each packet of data 0:49 from one router to the next, until the destination is reached. 0:52 In order to work efficiently, routing packets along the best path for 0:57 their final destination, 1:01 each router keeps information about other routers in what's called a routing table. 1:03 When a packet is received, a router examines the packet and determines where 1:08 it needs to go next, using the information from the routing table. 1:12 To do this, a routing table contains at least three bits of information. 1:17 The network ID, 1:21 the cost, meaning how efficient the path is that a packet is to be sent, and 1:23 the next hop or gateway the packet will go to on its way to its final destination. 1:27 Another piece of hardware that bridges the gap between computers is a switch. 1:33 A switch is similar to a router in that it also contributes 1:38 to a network's efficiency. 1:41 However, a switch manages the flow of data across a network 1:43 in a slightly different way, by physically connecting devices together with cables. 1:47 When a switch connects devices of a school, computer lab or office together, 1:53 it creates what's called a local area network, or LAN. 1:58 While you probably don't have a switch at home, 2:02 since there are few ports built into your home router, 2:04 you might be using one at school or work, maybe even without knowing it. 2:07 With switches creating networks and routers connecting networks, 2:12 we've created a wonderfully fast and efficient process to move 2:17 data around our community and world, but that's not the end of the story. 2:20 Stay tuned to learn about a few more pieces of hardware and 2:25 software that get the Internet all the way to your laptop at your house. 2:28