Switching Technology - D-Link DGS-1100-16 Reference Manual

D-Link DGS-1100 Series Switch User Manual

Switching Technology

Another approach to push beyond the limits of Ethernet technology is the development of switching
technology. A switch bridges 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 won't compete with each other for network transmission
capacity.
The switch acts as a high-speed selective bridge between the individual segments. The switch,
without interfering with any other segments, automatically forwards traffic that needs to go from one
segment to another. By doing this the total network capacity is multiplied, while still maintaining the
same network cabling and adapter cards.
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