A switch is sometimes described as a multiport bridge. While a typical bridge may have just two ports linking two network segments, the switch can have multiple ports depending on how many network segments are to be linked. Like bridges, switches learn certain information about the data packets that are received from various computers on the network. Switches use this information to build forwarding tables to determine the destination of data being sent by one computer to another computer on the network.

Although there are some similarities between the two, a switch is a more sophisticated device than a bridge. A bridge determines whether the frame should be forwarded to the other network segment based on the destination MAC address. A switch has many ports with many network segments connected to them. A switch chooses the port to which the destination device or workstation is connected. Ethernet switches are becoming popular connectivity solutions because, like bridges, switches improve network performance by improving speed and bandwidth.

Switching is a technology that alleviates congestion in Ethernet LANs by reducing the traffic and increasing the bandwidth. Switches can easily replace hubs because switches work with existing cable infrastructures. This improves performance with a minimum of intrusion into an existing network.

In data communications today, all switching equipment performs two basic operations. The first operation is called switching data frames. Switching data frames is the process by which a frame is received on an input medium and then transmitted to an output medium. The second is the maintenance of switching operations where switches build and maintain switching tables and search for loops.

Switches operate at much higher speeds than bridges and can support new functionality, such as virtual LANs.

An Ethernet switch has many benefits. One benefit is that an Ethernet switch allows many users to communicate in parallel through the use of virtual circuits and dedicated network segments in a virtually collision-free environment. This maximizes the bandwidth available on the shared medium. Another benefit is that moving to a switched LAN environment is very cost effective because existing hardware and cabling can be reused.

Lab Activity Lab Exercise: Purchasing LAN Switches This lab is to introduce the variety and prices of network components in the market.

 

Web Links Switch http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/ sDefinition/0,,sid7_ gci213079,00.html