In this post we discussed switches, routers, and firewalls. Each one of these are fundamental building blocks of networking. An intimate understanding of each is required to pass virtually any Cisco exam. In summary, a router routes pack. In this post we discussed switches, routers, and firewalls. Each one of these are fundamental building blocks of networking. An intimate understanding of each is required to pass virtually any Cisco exam. In summary, a router routes packets using a MAC address if it is L2, or IP address if it is L3. A router provides users with access to the intern. A switch is a device that allows us to connect multiple computers together. While computers are the main device hooked into switches, it can also connect printers, security cameras, Cisco Voice IP phones, and more. Once a switch is connected to a device, the MAC (Media Access Card) address of the device is discovered and used for routing. The switc. An unmanaged switch is considered plug-and-play. In other words, the switch arrives pre-configured out-of-the-box, and there isn't a whole lot you can do with it. Unmanaged switches are the sort of devices that are seen in private homes or small offices. The good news here is that it is simple and easy to use. However if your network situation is c. A router is a device that connects a local area network to the internet. It performs this function by forwarding packets using an IP address, therefore it is an L3 device. A router can perform a host of functions to facilitate inter- and intra-network communications. For example, a router utilizes dynamic host control protocol (DHCP) to assign IP a. AnACL is a list of IP addresses that are forbidden to leave the network or enter the network. It is considered stateless—that means it relies only on what is configured. Think of an ACL as a bouncer at a nightclub. It has a list of who is NOT allowed to enter. If you're on that list, then you're out of luck. The bouncer (for whatever reason) has a.