What is a Network Switch ?

A network switch is a device that connects computers together into a local

area network (LAN). Network switches allow multiple devices to
communicate with each other over a single cable or wire. The main function
of a network switch is to connect two or more networks together.

What is a Network Switch?

Network switches provide a physical connection between two devices on
a network segment. They allow computers to communicate directly with each
other without having to pass through a router. A single computer may have
several network cards, which are connected to different networks. The
computer needs a way to determine which network it should send
information to and receive information from. This is where a switch comes
into play. It allows the computer to choose which network card to route its
traffic to and receive traffic from.

How Does a Network Switch Work?

Once a device is connected to the Switch, the Switch notes the media
access control (MAC) address, a code that is baked into the network
interface card (NIC) that attaches to an ethernet cable that attaches to the
Switch. The Switch uses the Mac address to identify which attached
devices are sending out packets and where to deliver the incoming packet.
so the MAC address is used to identify the physical device and not the
Layer 3 IP address, which can be assigned dynamically.

A full-duplex means you can talk to someone while sending them

something else. A switch does this by reading the headers of incoming
packets and matching them to outgoing packets. This makes sure there
aren’t any collisions when both devices are trying to send data at the same
time.

Switches operate at layer three. VLANs are used to connect different

networks together. Routing allows traffic to be sent from one subnet to the
other.

Role in a network
A switch provides a physical connection between two or more devices. It
allows them to communicate directly with each other without being
connected by another device. Switches provide Layer 2 connectivity,
meaning they operate at the Data Link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model.
Switches also provide Layer 3 connectivity, meaning they operate above
the Data Link layer. Routers perform this role.

A switch provides Layer 1 connectivity, meaning it operates at the Physical

layer (Layer 1) of the OSI Model. Devices such as hubs, bridges, repeaters,
and wireless access points are examples of Layer 1 devices.

Bridging

The most common type of Switch is the Layer 2 (L2) Switch. L2 switches
forward packets based on MAC addresses, which are unique identifiers
assigned to each device connected to the network. They also perform basic
routing functions like determining where traffic should flow next.

Traffic monitoring

Network switches provide visibility into traffic patterns across all ports on
the Switch. This allows administrators to monitor traffic patterns across all
ports at once, rather than having to check each port individually.

Switches vs hubs

A switch provides point-to-point connections between two devices, whereas a

hub connects all ports together into one big pool. Hubs tend to be less
expensive than switches, but they don’t provide any additional functionality.
A switch can have multiple interfaces, while a hub only has one.
Hubs are used to share resources among several computers connected to
the hub. Hubs do not direct packets toward specific ports. Instead, they
send packets to every port, but each packet is only received by the
computer that sent it. This means that a single computer may receive
thousands of packets per second.

Switches vs routers

Routers route traffic between networks, whereas switches provide

connectivity within a single network segment. A switch will typically have a
number of ports connected to different devices (such as computers) and
can send all the traffic from one port to another. In contrast, a router will
typically have many more ports than there are hosts connected to it.
When you need to connect multiple LAN segments, a router is usually your
best option. However, if you want to connect just a few devices, a switch
might be enough.

Switches vs bridges

Bridges and switches are pretty similar. Both operate at the data link layer
and both can filter data based on the physical address of the
sender/receivers. Both filters packets based on the physical addresses of
the sender/receive, but newer switches can also forward data based on IP
addresses. These newer switches are called IP switches.
Switches are considered superior to bridges because they provide better
filtering capabilities and more flexibility.

Types of Network Switches

Switches vary in size depending on how many devices connect in a certain
area. A four-or eight-port switch usually suffices for a small office or home.
For larger deployments, you usually see switches up to 128ports. The form
factor of smaller switches is an appliance that fits on a desk. However,
switches are also rack-mounted for placement in wiring closets or data
centers.

A switch offers different speeds depending on the type of traffic you’re

sending or receiving. For example, a switch might be able to receive data
faster than send data. This means that if your computer sends data, the
Switch might receive that data before sending out the same information.

There are two main types of Switch: Layer 2 (L2) switches and layer 3 (L3)
switches. L2 switches operate at the Data Link Layer of the OSI model;
they control the flow of traffic between devices by determining which device
will receive the next packet. L3 switches operate at the Network Layer of
the OSI Model; they route packets from one device to another based on
destination IP address.

Unmanaged

An unmanaged switch is a simple device that allows your computer to

connect to other computers or servers on your local network. You simply
plug it into an ethernet port on your computer. All you need to do is
configure the settings on the Switch, then turn it on. There’s nothing else to
it.
Unmanaged switches offer no such features. They simply allow you to plug
in any network cable into them and turn them on. You’ll then be able to
access the Switch’s management interface through its web browser.

Managed

The managed switch market has grown rapidly since its introduction in the
early 2000s. According to Gartner, it will grow at a compound annual
growth rate (CAGR) of 23% from 2016 to 2020, reaching $3.8 billion by
2020.

A managed network switch is a device that allows Ethernet devices to

connect to each other and that contains management features to configure,
manage, and monitor traffic on a local area network.

Managed switches provide more control over how data moves across the
network and who can gain access to it. Some managed switches offer
additional features such as remote configuration and monitoring
capabilities. These features allow you to remotely configure your network
settings, view performance metrics, troubleshoot issues, or perform
administrative tasks.
A managed switch provides advanced features such as load balancing,
failover, security, and remote management. It connects directly to your
internet connection and requires some sort of configuration
software. Managed switches are typically expensive compared to
unmanaged switches.
Managed switches also provide users with many advantages over
unmanaged ones. These include port security, VLAN support, MAC
address filtering, DHCP server support, and more.

The most common types of managed switches are layer two switches (also
known as L2) and layer three switches (L3). Layer two switches connect
devices directly together using Ethernet cables, whereas layer three
switches connect devices indirectly through routers.
Management features
The management interface provides access to all information about the
Switch, including configuration settings, status, statistics and diagnostic
messages. It also allows users to view the current topology of the network.

Other uses
The most common use of switches today is connecting servers together
into a private network. This allows users to share files, printers, and other
resources between computers without having to expose them to the public
internet.
Benefits of Using a Network Switch
There are many benefits to using a network switch. Here are some of the
most common reasons why people use them:

Increased security

Since a switch connects multiple devices together, it creates a secure area

where only authorized users can access the network.

Improved performance

Because a switch does not need to forward packets across a router, it can
process data much faster than a router.

Reduced cost

Using a switch instead of a router reduces the cost of running your network
because there is less hardware involved.

Easier management

When you add a switch to your network, you don’t have to worry about
configuring the settings on a separate piece of equipment. You simply plug
the Switch into your network and configure it.

Scalability

You can expand your network easily with a switch. Simply purchase
additional switches when needed.

Ease of use

Most network switches come preconfigured, so you don’t have to spend

time setting everything up.

Conclusion
Switches are an essential part of any modern computer network. They help
keep your network safe by creating a secured environment for your
devices. They also increase efficiency by reducing the amount of traffic that
needs to be forwarded around your network.