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Chapter 1 Introduction
This chapter describes the features of the Switch and some background
information about Ethernet/Fast Ethernet switching technology.
Fast Ethernet Technology
The growing importance of LANs and the increasing complexity of desktop
computing applications are fueling the need for high performance networks.
A number of high-speed LAN technologies have been proposed to provide
greater bandwidth and improve client/server response times. Among them,
100BASE-T (Fast Ethernet) provides a non-disruptive, smooth evolution
from the current 10BASE-T technology. The non-disruptive and smooth
evolution nature, and the dominating potential market base, virtually guar-
antee cost effective and high performance Fast Ethernet solutions in the
years to come.
100Mbps Fast Ethernet is an extension of the 10Mbps Ethernet standard
with the ability to transmit and receive data at 100Mbps, while maintaining
the CSMA/CD Ethernet protocol. Since the 100Mbps Fast Ethernet is
compatible with all other 10Mbps Ethernet environments, it provides a
straightforward upgrade and takes advantage of the existing investment in
hardware, software, and personnel training.
Switching Technology
Another approach to pushing beyond the limits of Ethernet technology is
the development of switching technology. A switch bridge Ethernet packets
at the MAC address level of the Ethernet protocol transmitting among
connected Ethernet or Fast Ethernet LAN segments.
Switching is a cost-effective way of increasing the total network capacity
available to users on a local area network. A switch increases capacity and
decreases network loading by dividing a local area network into different
segments, which don’t compete with each other for network transmission
capacity.
The switch acts as a high-speed selective bridge between the individual