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A switch increases capacity and decreases network loading by
dividing a local area network into different LAN segments. Dividing
a LAN into multiple segments is one of the most common ways of
increasing available bandwidth. If segmented correctly, most
network traffic will remain within a single segment, enjoying the full-
line speed bandwidth of that segment.
Switches provide full-line speed and dedicated bandwidth for all
connections. This is in contrast to hubs, which use the traditional
shared networking topology, where the connected nodes contend
for the same network bandwidth. When two switching nodes are
communicating, they are connected with a dedicated channel
between them, so there is no contention for network bandwidth with
other nodes. As a result, the switch reduces considerably, the
likelihood of traffic congestion.
For Ethernet networks, a switch is an effective way of eliminating
the problem of chaining hubs beyond the “two-repeater limit.” A
switch can be used to split parts of the network into different
collision domains, making it possible to expand your Ethernet
network beyond the 205-meter network diameter limit for 100BASE-
TX networks. Switches supporting both 10Mbps Ethernet and
100Mbps Fast Ethernet are also ideal for bridging between existing
10Mbps networks and newer 100Mbps networks.
Switching LAN technology is a marked improvement over the
previous generation of network hubs and bridges, which were
characterized by higher latencies. Routers have also been used to
segment local area networks, but the cost of a router, the setup and
maintenance required, make routers relatively impractical. Today
switches are an ideal solution for most kinds of local area network
congestion problems.