Switch (networking)

Switch (networking) is a computer networking device that connects devices together on a computer network by using packet switching to receive, process, and forward data packets between devices. Switches are essential components of local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), and metropolitan area networks (MANs), and are often used in conjunction with routers from Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, and HP Inc.. Switches are typically used to connect devices such as personal computers, servers from Dell, IBM, and Oracle Corporation, and printers from Epson, Canon Inc., and Hewlett Packard.

Introduction

A switch is a multi-port bridge that uses Media Access Control (MAC) addresses from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Internet Protocol (IP) addresses from the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), and virtual local area networks (VLANs) to forward data packets between devices on a network. Switches are designed to operate at the Data Link Layer of the OSI model, which was developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and are commonly used in Ethernet networks from Intel, Broadcom Inc., and Marvell Technology Group. Switches can be used to connect devices from Apple Inc., Microsoft, and Google, and can be managed using Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP) from the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and Cisco Systems.

Architecture

The architecture of a switch typically consists of a central processing unit (CPU) from Intel Corporation, Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), or ARM Holdings, a memory system from Micron Technology, Samsung Electronics, or SK Hynix, and a switching fabric from Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, or Brocade Communications Systems. The switching fabric is responsible for forwarding data packets between ports, and can be implemented using a variety of technologies, including application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) from Broadcom Inc., Marvell Technology Group, or Cavium. Switches can also include additional features, such as quality of service (QoS) from the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), security features from Check Point, Palo Alto Networks, or Fortinet, and power over Ethernet (PoE) from the IEEE.

Operation

The operation of a switch involves receiving data packets from devices on the network, examining the destination MAC address from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and forwarding the packet to the intended recipient. Switches use a variety of techniques to forward packets, including store-and-forward switching from Cisco Systems, cut-through switching from Juniper Networks, and fragment-free switching from HP Inc.. Switches can also be configured to use VLANs from the IEEE, which allow multiple virtual networks to coexist on the same physical network. Switches are often used in conjunction with routers from Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, or HP Inc., which connect multiple networks together and route traffic between them.

Types_of_network_switches

There are several types of network switches, including managed switches from Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, or HP Inc., which can be configured and managed using SNMP from the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and Cisco Systems. Unmanaged switches from Netgear, D-Link, or TP-Link are simpler and less expensive, but do not offer the same level of configuration and management. Smart switches from Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, or HP Inc. offer a balance between managed and unmanaged switches, and are often used in small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) from Dell, IBM, or Oracle Corporation. PoE switches from the IEEE are used to power devices over the network, and are commonly used in VoIP networks from Avaya, Cisco Systems, or Mitel.

Configuration_and_management

The configuration and management of a switch typically involves using a command-line interface (CLI) from Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, or HP Inc., or a graphical user interface (GUI) from Netgear, D-Link, or TP-Link. Switches can be configured to use VLANs from the IEEE, QoS from the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), and security features from Check Point, Palo Alto Networks, or Fortinet. Switches can also be managed using SNMP from the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and Cisco Systems, which allows network administrators from IBM, Oracle Corporation, or Microsoft to monitor and configure the switch remotely. Switches can also be integrated with network management systems (NMS) from Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, or HP Inc., which provide a centralized platform for managing and monitoring the network.

Applications

Switches have a wide range of applications, including local area networks (LANs) from Intel, Broadcom Inc., or Marvell Technology Group, wide area networks (WANs) from Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, or HP Inc., and metropolitan area networks (MANs) from Alcatel-Lucent, Ericsson, or Nokia. Switches are also used in data centers from Equinix, Digital Realty, or Interxion, where they are used to connect servers from Dell, IBM, or Oracle Corporation and storage systems from EMC Corporation, NetApp, or IBM. Switches are also used in industrial networks from Rockwell Automation, Siemens, or ABB Group, where they are used to connect industrial control systems (ICS) from Honeywell International, General Electric, or Schneider Electric. Switches are also used in Internet of Things (IoT) networks from Cisco Systems, Juniper Networks, or HP Inc., where they are used to connect IoT devices from Apple Inc., Microsoft, or Google. Category:Computer networking