Routing and Switching

 Switch: Is a layer 2 device

The switch keeps a table called media access control addresses. It used this to determine whic port to send the data 

A switch in networking is a device that connects multiple devices (like computers, printers, servers) within a local area network (LAN) and enables them to communicate efficiently.

Key Functions of a Switch:

1. Data Forwarding: It receives data packets and forwards them only to the device for which the data is intended (based on MAC addresses).

2. MAC Address Learning: It keeps a table of MAC addresses and the port they are connected to, so it knows where to send data.

3. Full Duplex Communication: Allows simultaneous sending and receiving of data between devices, reducing collisions and improving performance.

4. Segmentation: It segments a network into separate collision domains, improving overall network efficiency.

Types of Switches:

• Unmanaged Switch: Plug-and-play, no configuration required. Used in small or home networks.

• Managed Switch: Offers advanced features like VLANs, traffic monitoring, and remote management. Used in business or enterprise environments.

• Layer 2 Switch: Operates at the Data Link layer (uses MAC addresses).

• Layer 3 Switch: Also performs some routing functions at the Network layer (uses IP addresses).

How It Works (Simplified):

1. Device A sends data to Device B through the switch.

2. Switch reads the MAC address in the data packet.

3. It checks its MAC address table to find the port for Device B.

4. It sends the packet only to that specific port—not to every device (unlike a hub).

Want a diagram or visual of how a switch works in a network?

If we need to connect two different network we need a router also called the layer three device

Router - Layer -3 Device:

Router maintains a route table which helps in determining where to send the traffic to.