LAN is the local area network, “your home network”, from which you get routed to the internet by a gateway device. Routers usually have several LAN ports to which computers can be connected. If the router has the feature of wireless network, the devices connected to the wireless network normally become a part of the local network. If you want to connect several devices to the Kortex network, you will practically always need a router.

The switch/coupler is typically a device that connects the devices of the local network to each other, in which case it only has LAN ports. The user of the Kortex network does not usually need switch devices, as the router is essential in the connection of multiple devices and usually already has enough LAN ports. In addition, the router usually has one WAN port which is meant for outward operation.