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

Ever look at the back of your router and ask yourself “WHY!?!?” There are only four ethernet ports there. Four. How can anyone live and thrive with such a measly amount of wired network connections?

Comcast, like most cable ISP services, provides most of its subscribers with a basic all-in-one modem solution that combines an Internet gateway with a router. If you have a more complicated home ...