The idea of switch can refer to a switch.
Switch is a term of English origin that can be translated into Spanish as switch , commutator , rod or whip , depending on each context. The word can also take the form of a verb and refer to the act of shaking or changing .
In the Spanish language, the notion of switch is used to refer to the device with digital characteristics that is needed to interconnect computer networks . The switch operates at the data crossing or combination level and its main purpose is to guarantee the interconnection of a minimum of two network segments, similar to the function of a bridge .
Characteristics of a switch
This network device is responsible for transmitting data from one segment to another according to the MAC address to which the frames of this structure are destined. Its task focuses on the connection of different networks and their corresponding mergers. The switch, due to its usefulness, acts as a filter and optimizes the performance of local area networks (known as LAN for Local Area Network ).
The switches have the ability to retain the aforementioned MAC addresses of the equipment that can be reached from each of their ports . In this way, the information travels directly from the source port to the destination port (unlike what happens with concentrators or hubs).
Currently in the market we have the opportunity to find a wide variety of switches and this responds to the different needs that, for reasons of their professional field or for personal reasons, users may have. In this sense, for example, it should be noted that devices of this type can be purchased with 4, 8, 16, 24 or 48 ports.
When two switches are connected, each one stores the MAC addresses of the devices accessible from its ports. This means that, on the interconnection port, the MAC addresses of the devices on the other switch are hosted.
A switch is a device that allows interconnecting computer networks.
Operations that develop
When talking about the operation of any switch, it is important that we highlight several of the operations that are carried out from them and other equally relevant elements. Thus, for example, there would be what is known as encapsulation , which can be defined as that process by which the data that is going to be sent through the network is subjected to a task of placement in packets, which can be both managed and tracked. at any time necessary.
In the same way, the task of segmentation should not be overlooked either. It should be noted that this consists of dividing a network into several segments for several fundamental reasons, among which is obtaining greater bandwidth for each user.
However, another compelling reason to proceed with the aforementioned segmentation is that thanks to it and the work of the switch, traffic congestion or collisions are prevented from occurring, which would logically result in the aforementioned bandwidth not existing or being lost. would limit
The switches, finally, are classified according to the addressing system of each frame involved. Store-and-Forward , Cut-Through , Adaptive Cut-Through , Layer 2 Switches , Layer 3 Switches and Layer 4 Switches are some of the types of switches.