Bridges and switches use MAC (Media Access Control) addresses to make data forwarding decisions. When a frame is received, they examine the destination MAC address and consult their MAC address table, which maps MAC addresses to specific ports. If the address is found, the device forwards the frame to the corresponding port; if not, it typically broadcasts the frame to all ports except the one it was received on. This process helps efficiently direct data traffic within a local area network.
bridges, Switches and NIC..
Switches / Bridges and hubs work at data link layer, but there are layer three switches which operate at network layer. Dhruv
Switches are made to connect multiple devices within a network and facilitate the exchange of data packets between these devices. They help regulate network traffic by filtering and forwarding data only to the intended recipient, improving the efficiency and speed of data transmission within the network.
A repeater amplifies a signal. It will also re-send the signal as a "clean" signal. A hub is a multiport repeater. It will send a signal it receives out, through all of its ports - except the port where it received the signal. Bridges and switches are more intelligent, in that they send data only to the destination - according to the MAC address. Bridges and switches are similar, but switches have more hardware optimization, allowing for fast switching of large volumes of data.
The phases of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) include the Listening, Learning, and Forwarding phases. In the Listening phase, switches identify the topology and determine the best path. During the Learning phase, switches build a MAC address table to map addresses to ports, while still not forwarding frames. Finally, in the Forwarding phase, switches actively forward frames and continue to send and receive Bridge Protocol Data Units (BPDUs) to maintain the loop-free topology.
Intermediate devices on a network, such as routers and switches, serve critical functions including packet forwarding and traffic management. Routers direct data packets between different networks, ensuring they reach their appropriate destinations, while switches facilitate communication within the same network by forwarding data to specific devices based on their MAC addresses. Additionally, these devices can enhance network security and performance by managing data flow and preventing congestion.
A layer 2 switch at it's core only forwards data within a LAN and only deals with MAC addresses. A layer 3 switch has the capability of forwarding frames and packets because it understands IP addresses.
Switches are data link layer devices that, like bridges, enable multiple physical LAN segments to be interconnected into a single larger network. Similar to bridges, switches forward and flood traffic based on MAC addresses. Any network device will create some latency. Switches can use different forwarding techniques-two of these are store-and-forward switching and cut-through switching. In store-and-forward switching, an entire frame must be received before it is forwarded. This means that the latency through the switch is relative to the frame size-the larger the frame size, the longer the delay through the switch. Cut-through switching allows the switch to begin forwarding the frame when enough of the frame is received to make a forwarding decision. This reduces the latency through the switch. Store-and-forward switching gives the switch the opportunity to evaluate the frame for errors before forwarding it. This capability to not forward frames containing errors is one of the advantages of switches over hubs. Cut-through switching does not offer this advantage, so the switch might forward frames containing errors. Many types of switches exist, including ATM switches, LAN switches, and various types of WAN switches. Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) switches provide high-speed switching and scalable bandwidths in the workgroup, the enterprise network backbone, and the wide area. ATM switches support voice, video, and data applications, and are designed to switch fixed-size information units called cells, which are used in ATM communications. Figure 4-3 illustrates an enterprise network comprised of multiple LANs interconnected across an ATM backbone. Figure 4-3 Multi-LAN Networks Can Use an ATM-Based Backbone When Switching Cells LAN switches are used to interconnect multiple LAN segments. LAN switching provides dedicated, collision-free communication between network devices, with support for multiple simultaneous conversations. LAN switches are designed to switch data frames at high speeds. Figure 4-4 illustrates a simple network in which a LAN switch interconnects a 10-Mbps and a 100-Mbps Ethernet LAN. Figure 4-4 A LAN Switch Can Link 10-Mbps and 100-Mbps Ethernet Segments there is no figures as noted above
In a network using the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP), ports on network switches can be in either a blocking or forwarding state. Ports in the forwarding state actively send and receive data, while those in the blocking state do not forward frames to prevent loops in the network topology. Switches dynamically switch ports between these states based on the network topology and the need to maintain a loop-free environment, particularly during changes such as link failures or topology changes. The root bridge and designated ports are typically in forwarding state, while non-designated ports may be blocked to prevent loops.
Packet switching requires networking hardware such as routers and switches. Routers direct data packets between different networks, while switches manage data packets within a local network, forwarding them to the correct devices based on their MAC addresses. Additionally, network interfaces and cabling are necessary to connect devices and facilitate communication. Overall, this combination enables efficient data transmission and handling in packet-switched networks.
Source Port
To ease the flow of data through a network, several key hardware devices can be utilized, including routers, switches, and access points. Routers direct data packets between different networks, ensuring efficient data traffic management. Switches connect devices within a local network, facilitating communication and reducing congestion by forwarding data only to the intended recipient. Access points extend wireless connectivity, allowing more devices to connect seamlessly to the network.