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Introduction 1-1
Chapter 1: Introduction
Switching Technology
The Ethernet Switch allows simultaneous transmission of multiple packets via
an internal high-speed data channel. This means that it can partition a network
more efficiently than bridges or routers. The Ethernet Switch is therefore fast
being recognized as one of the most important building blocks for today’s
networking technology.
The learning function in the switch stores the address and corresponding port
number of each incoming and outgoing packet in a routing table. This
information is subsequently used to filter packets whose destination address is
on the same segment as the source address. This confines network traffic to its
respective domain, reducing the overall load on the network.
The switch scans the destination address from the packet header, searches the
routing table provided for the incoming port and forwards the packet only if
required, often before fully received. This fast forwarding makes the switch
attractive for connecting servers directly to the network, thereby increasing
throughput and availability. However, the switch is most commonly used to
segment existing hubs, which nearly always improves overall performance. A
switch can be easily configured in any Ethernet network to significantly boost
bandwidth using conventional cabling and adapters.