Gateway vs. Switch — What's the Difference?

An opening or a structure framing an opening, such as an arch, that may be closed by a gate.

In electrical engineering, a switch is an electrical component that can disconnect or connect the conducting path in an electrical circuit, interrupting the electric current or diverting it from one conductor to another. The most common type of switch is an electromechanical device consisting of one or more sets of movable electrical contacts connected to external circuits.

Something that serves as an entrance or a means of access

A device for making and breaking the connection in an electric circuit

Software or hardware that enables communication between computer networks that use different communications protocols. Also called router2.

An act of changing to or adopting one thing in place of another

An entrance capable of being blocked by use of a gate.

A slender, flexible shoot cut from a tree.

A place regarded as giving access to somewhere.

A set of points on a railway track.

Any point that represents the beginning of a transition from one place or phase to another.

A tress of false or detached hair tied at one end, used in hairdressing to supplement natural hair.

(attributive) Any thing or area of interest that tends to lead to deeper involvement.

Change the position, direction, or focus of

A point at which freight moving from one territory to another is interchanged between transportation lines.

Beat or flick with or as if with a switch.

(digital communications) In wireless internet, an access point with additional software capabilities such as providing NAT and DHCP, which may also provide VPN support, roaming, firewalls, various levels of security, etc.

An exchange or a swap, especially one done secretly.

To make available via a gateway, or access point.

A transference or shift, as of opinion or attention.

A passage through a fence or wall; a gate; also, a frame, arch, etc., in which a gate in hung, or a structure at an entrance or gate designed for ornament or defense.

A device used to break or open an electric circuit or to divert current from one conductor to another.

An entrance that can be closed by a gate

A device consisting of two sections of railroad track and accompanying apparatus used to transfer rolling stock from one track to another.

A slender flexible rod, stick, or twig, especially one used for whipping.

The bushy tip of the tail of certain animals

A thick strand of real or synthetic hair used as part of a coiffure.

A flailing or lashing, as with a slender rod

To exchange

To shift, transfer, or divert

To connect, disconnect, or divert (an electric current) by operating a switch.

To cause (an electric current or appliance) to begin or cease operation

(Informal) To produce as if by operating a control. Often used with on

To move (rolling stock) from one track to another; shunt.

To whip with a switch, especially in punishing a child.

To jerk or swish abruptly or sharply

To make or undergo a shift or an exchange

To swish sharply from side to side.

A device to turn electric current on and off or direct its flow.

A change or exchange.

A movable section of railroad track which allows the train to be directed down one of two destination tracks; (set of) points.

A slender woody plant stem used as a whip; a thin, flexible rod, associated with corporal punishment in the United States.

(musical instruments) rute.

(computer science) A command line notation allowing specification of optional behavior.

A programming construct that takes different actions depending on the value of an expression.

A networking device connecting multiple wires, allowing them to communicate simultaneously, when possible. Compare to the less efficient hub device that solely duplicates network packets to each wire.

(telecommunication) A system of specialized relays, computer hardware, or other equipment which allows the interconnection of a calling party's telephone line with any called party's line.

(genetics) A mechanism within DNA that activates or deactivates a gene.

(BDSM) One who is willing to take either a submissive or a dominant role in a sexual relationship.

(historical) A separate mass or tress of hair, or of some substance (such as jute) made to resemble hair, formerly worn on the head by women.

(card games) A variant of crazy eights where one card, such as an ace, reverses the direction of play.

(transitive) To exchange.

(transitive) To change (something) to the specified state using a switch.

To whip or hit with a switch.

(intransitive) To change places, tasks, etc.

To get angry suddenly; to quickly or unreasonably become enraged.

To swing or whisk.

To be swung or whisked.

To trim.

To turn from one railway track to another; to transfer by a switch; generally with off, from, etc.

(ecclesiastical) To shift to another circuit.

(snowboarding) Pertaining to riding with the front and back feet swapped round compared to one's normal position.

Pertaining to skiing backwards.

A small, flexible twig or rod.

A movable part of a rail; or of opposite rails, for transferring cars from one track to another.

A separate mass or trees of hair, or of some substance (at jute) made to resemble hair, worn on the head by women.

A device for shifting an electric current to another circuit, or for making and breaking a circuit.

To strike with a switch or small flexible rod; to whip.

To swing or whisk; as, to switch a cane.

To trim, as, a hedge.

To turn from one railway track to another; to transfer by a switch; - generally with off, from, etc.; as, to switch off a train; to switch a car from one track to another.

To shift to another circuit.

To walk with a jerk.

Control consisting of a mechanical or electrical or electronic device for making or breaking or changing the connections in a circuit

An event in which one thing is substituted for another;

Hairpiece consisting of a tress of false hair; used by women to give shape to a coiffure

Railroad track having two movable rails and necessary connections; used to turn a train from one track to another or to store rolling stock

A flexible implement used as an instrument of punishment

A basketball maneuver; two defensive players shift assignments so that each guards the player usually guarded by the other

The act of changing one thing or position for another;

Change over, change around, or switch over

Exchange or give (something) in exchange for

Lay aside, abandon, or leave for another;

Make a shift in or exchange of;

Cause to go on or to be engaged or set in operation;

Flog with or as if with a flexible rod

Reverse (a direction, attitude, or course of action)