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

Cierra was an associate writer for CNET's broadband team, covering all things home internet. She is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Wilmington with a master's degree. Cierra is ...

The internet is a global network of servers that moves and stores data using hardware, software, and protocols. Wi-Fi is a local wireless network that distributes the internet signal to devices in ...

Emily Long is a freelance writer based in Salt Lake City. After graduating from Duke University, she spent several years reporting on the federal workforce for Government Executive, a publication of ...

Tyler Lacoma has spent more than 10 years testing tech and studying the latest web tool to help keep readers current. He's here for you when you need a how-to guide, explainer, review, or list of the ...

When you sign a contract with an internet provider, they'll typically send you a modem and a router in the mail. But which is which? And how are they different? A modem and a router work in tandem ...

It's pretty common that people mix up Wi-Fi and wireless internet because they both feel like the same thing. However, Wi-Fi and wireless internet are two different technologies. Wireless internet ...