This revolutionized networking. First, by allowing two-way, simultaneous
transmissions over the same port (Full-duplex), which essentially doubled the
bandwidth. Second, by reducing the collision domain to a single switch-port,
which eliminated the need for carrier sensing. Third, by using the store-and-
forward technology’s approach of inspecting each packet to intercept corrupt
or redundant data. By employing address learning, this switching eliminated
unnecessary transmission that slowed the network.
Auto-negotiation regulates the speed and duplex of each port, based on the
capability of both devices. Flow-control allows transmission from a 100Mbps
node to a 10Mbps node without loss of data. Auto-negotiation and flow-control
may need to be disabled for some networking operations involving legacy
equipment. Disabling the auto-negotiation is accomplished by fixing the speed
or duplex of a port.
Ethernet Switching Technology supplies higher performance at lower costs
than other solutions. Wider bandwidth, no congestion, and the reduction in
traffic is why switching is replacing expensive routers and inefficient hubs as
the ultimate networking solution. Switching brings a whole new way of thinking
to networking.