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Revision as of 04:34, 30 September 2001 by Efm (talk | contribs)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)A switch is a computer networking device that connects Ethernet segments. The switch connects Ethernet segments together as needed and the connections are maintained only as long as data is being transmitted. This point-to-point approach allows the switch to connect multiple pairs of segments at a time allowing more than one computer to transmit data at a time.
There are three types of ways in which a switch can opperate:
A switch is similar to a hub in that it provides a single broadcast domain, but is unique in that each port on a switch is it's own collision domain.
Switches provide difficulties in monitoring traffic because each port is isolated until it transmits data and even then only the sending and recieving ports are connected. Two popular methods are in use today: