Are integrated networking devices, frequently called routers, of the switch type or of a router / NIC type?

Question

Odom,Wendell-_CCNA_200-301_Official_Cert_Guide,_Volume_1.pdf :

many SOHO Ethernet LANs today combine the router and switch into a single device. Vendors sell consumer-grade integrated networking devices that work as a router and Ethernet switch, as well as doing other functions. These devices typically have “router” on the packaging, but many models also have four-port or eight-port Ethernet LAN switch ports built in to the device.

When choosing between straight-through and cross-over cables should I treat those integrated networking devices frequently called routers as of the same type as PC's NIC (or router) or of the type of switch?

I am aware that the presence auto-mdix in such devices may diminish the importance of the cable choice. But let this be outside of the scope of the question.

Answer 1

The devices that that quote seems to talk about are the ubiquitous (and off-topic here) integrated "routers" or "modems" that often include

• WAN PHY (DSL/cable modem)
• router with NAT for IPv4
• small switch (multiple LAN ports)
• DHCP and DNS server
• rudimentary firewall
• SIP gateway for VoIP telephony
• NAS/multimedia server (less common)

When choosing between straight-through and cross-over cables should I treat those integrated networking devices frequently called routers as of the same type as PC's NIC (or router) or of the type of switch?

That is a good question - even with just a single LAN port, most of those consumer-grade devices use MDI-X as pinout (hub/switch-type) for better host connectivity. Routers without an integrated switch use MDI ports (host/NIC/router-type) for better switch connectivity.

Of course, the majority of modern devices support Auto MDI-X, so the distinction has become much less important than a few decades back.