In computer networking, packet switches take incoming packets and forward them to outgoing communication links. This happens in several ways including both routers and link-layer switches.
Link-layer switches are used in access networks and ultimately play a role in the traversal of packets across the network from one end system to another.
Packet switches facilitate packet switching which is a network protocol involving packets of data that contain headers. One example of a packet-switched protocol is transmission control protocol (TCP.)
