A network switch is a device that connects computers together into a local area network (LAN). Network switches allow multiple devices to communicate with each other over a single cable or wire. The main function of a network switch is to connect two or more networks together.
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What is a Network Switch?
Network switches provide a physical connection between two devices on a network They allow computers to communicate directly with each other without having to pass through a router. A single computer may have several network cards, which are connected to different networks. The computer needs a way to determine which network it should send information to and receive information from. This is where a switch comes into play. It allows the computer to choose which network card to route its traffic to and receive traffic from.
How Does a Network Switch Work?
Once a device is connected to the Switch, the Switch notes the media access control (MAC) address, a code that is baked into the network interface card (NIC) that attaches to an ethernet cable that attaches to the Switch. The Switch uses the Mac address to identify which attached devices are sending out packets and where to deliver the incoming packet. So the MAC address is used to identify the physical device and not the Layer 3 IP address, which can be assigned dynamically
A full-duplex means you can talk to someone while sending them something else. A switch does this by reading the headers of incoming packets and matching them to outgoing packets. This makes sure there aren’t any collisions when both devices are trying to send data at the same time.
Switches operate at layer three. VLANs are used to connect different networks together. Routing allows traffic to be sent from one subnet to the other.
Role in a network
A switch provides a physical connection between two or more devices. It allows them to communicate directly with each other without being connected by another device. Switches provide Layer 2 connectivity, meaning they operate at the Data Link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model.
Switches also provide Layer 3 connectivity, meaning they operate above the Data Link layer. Routers perform this role.
A switch provides Layer 1 connectivity, meaning it operates at the Physical layer (Layer 1) of the OSI Model. Devices such as hubs, bridges, repeaters, and wireless access points are examples of Layer 1 devices.
Types of Network Switches
Switches vary in size depending on how many devices connect in a certain area. A four-or eight-port switch usually suffices for a small office or home. For larger deployments, you usually see switches up to 128ports. The form factor of smaller switches is an appliance that fits on a desk. However, switches are also rack-mounted for placement in wiring closets or data centers.
A switch offers different speeds depending on the type of traffic you’re sending or receiving. For example, a switch might be able to receive data faster than send data. This means that if your computer sends data, the Switch might receive that data before sending out the same information.
There are two main types of Switch: Layer 2 (L2) switches and layer 3 (L3) switches. L2 switches operate at the Data Link Layer of the OSI model; they control the flow of traffic between devices by determining which device will receive the next packet. L3 switches operate at the Network Layer of the OSI Model; they route packets from one device to another based on destination IP address.
Unmanaged
An unmanaged switch is a simple device that allows your computer to connect to other computers or servers on your local network. You simply plug it into an ethernet port on your computer. All you need to do is configure the settings on the Switch, then turn it on. There’s nothing else to it.
Unmanaged switches offer no such features. They simply allow you to plug in any network cable into them and turn them on. You’ll then be able to access the Switch’s management interface through its web browser.
A managed network switch is a device that allows Ethernet devices to connect to each other and that contains management features to configure, manage, and monitor traffic on a local area network.
Managed switches provide more control over how data moves across the network and who can gain access to it. Some managed switches offer additional features such as remote configuration and monitoring capabilities. These features allow you to remotely configure your network settings, view performance metrics, troubleshoot issues, or perform administrative tasks.
A managed switch provides advanced features such as load balancing, failover, security, and remote management. It connects directly to your internet connection and requires some sort of configuration software. Managed switches are typically expensive compared to unmanaged switches.
Managed switches also provide users with many advantages over unmanaged ones. These include port security, VLAN support, MAC address filtering, DHCP server support, and more.
The most common types of managed switches are layer two switches (also known as L2) and layer three switches (L3). Layer two switches connect devices directly together using Ethernet cables, whereas layer three switches connect devices indirectly through routers.
Conclusion
Switches are an essential part of any modern computer network. They help keep your network safe by creating a secured environment for your devices. They also increase efficiency by reducing the amount of traffic that needs to be forwarded around your network.