On Sun, 7 Oct 2012 12:34:53 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

It's a 2WIRE RG2701HG-00. One link calls it a modem and switch,
another a modem switch/router and another a modem/router.
Talk about definitions.

I think you see the problem.

I have a pile of 2701HG wireless routers in the office. The routers
work fine, but the power supplies suck.
http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/pics/repair/slides/2Wire-power-supplies.html
http://802.11junk.com/jeffl/pics/repair/slides/2Wire-power-supply.html
Fortunately, they're easy to crack open and repair. When yours quits,
reboots erratically, or acts weird, crack open the PS and fix it
rather than tossing the router.

Incidentally, try:
http://192.168.1.254/mdc
on your 2701HG.
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/twowire/10._Troubleshooting

The 2701HG routers have an additional problem in that it is impossible
to update the firmware. I've identified about 12 different firmware
versions with little clue as to the differences. Now that 2-wire is
part of Pace, they won't even talk to me about firmware. Fortunately,
the most disgusting problem (failure to reconnect after connecting to
another access point with Apple iPads) isn't very common. Also,
there's no way to save the restore the settings, so everyone needs to
be setup from scratch. Still, I kinda like them (probably the white
color).

Anyway, if you want to be technically correct, the description has to
include all the major features. So the 2710HG would be a:
"DSL modem wireless firewall IP router and switch". Somehow, I don't
think marketing would like that.

In the old days I got the gist of electronics, and I mean to where I
could do a little bitt of designing. That was all analog. Even then
some of the definitions were not memorized by me, like even though
I know the names Colpitts and Hartley I couldn't tell you the
(dis)advantages of either right now. I can look it up of course
but I really only committ(ed) to memory what I need(ed).

The old daze are gone. I read sci.electronics.repair and must admit
that I have never heard of some of the devices, acronyms,
nomenclature, software, etc. So, I use Google to search for clues,
read what I find, and sometimes actually learn something new. I
suggest you do the same.

I see no difference between a switch and a router, but of course there is.

Easy. A switch works at the MAC address layer. It directs packets
based on the destination MAC address. No IP addresses are involved.

A router connects two different IP networks and works on the IP layer.
It directs packets based on the destination IP address. Although the
MAC layer is involved, no MAC addresses are passed through a router.

All 802.11 wireless works on the MAC address layer. Packets are
directed by the destination MAC address layer. With an encrypted
wireless network, these MAC addresses are sent unencrypted and can be
easily sniffed. However, the relevant IP addresses, encapsulated and
encrypted inside 802.11 packets, are not sniffable.

Also, a bridge is a two port ethernet switch.

What I see is that a router can have a hardware firewall, but I've
never seen it on a switch. I may need to know these things soon
if I go to get the network at work running again.

Firewalls work on the IP layer and therefore require a router.

I know where to come.

Groan. There are better newsgroups and forums to obtain information
on networking.

--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558