Network Switches
Data Network Switch Information
A network switch (or just switch) is a networking device that performs transparent bridging (connection of multiple network segments with forwarding based on MAC addresses) at up to the speed of the hardware. Common hardware includes network switches, which can connect at 10, 100, or 1000 megabits per second (Mbit/s), at half or full duplex. Half duplex means that the device can only send or receive any given time, whereas full duplex can send and receive at the same time. The use of specially designed expansion also makes it possible to have large numbers of connections utilising different mediums of networking, including Ethernet, Fibre Channel, ATM and 802.11.
A network switch can connect Ethernet, Optical Fibre Channels or other types of packet switched network segments together to form an internetwork.
If a network has only switches and no hubs then the collision domains (where data packets "collide" with one another for being sent on a shared medium) are either reduced to a single link or, if both ends support full duplex, eliminated altogether. The principle of a fast hardware forwarding device with many ports can be extended to higher layers giving the multilayer switch.
Hubs V Switches
A hub is a fairly unsophisticated broadcast device. Hubs do not manage any of the traffic that comes through them, and any packet entering any port is broadcast out on every other port (every port other than the port of entry). Since every packet is being sent out through every other port, packet collisions results - which greatly impedes the smooth flow of traffic.
A network switch isolates ports, meaning that every received packet is sent out only to the port on which the target may be found. Since the switch intelligently sends packets where they need to go, the performance of the network can be greatly increased.
Some network switches can also do several other operations, such as isolating ports from each other by placing them in different VLANs, or allowing snooping by copying all packets on some set of ports to a special "sniffer" port.
This leaves the question of when a switch is most appropriate, versus a hub. If most of the network traffic involves only a few ports, then there will be little performance gain achieved by upgrading from a hub to a switch. But if the traffic involves more than a few ports, using a switch can yield a significant improvement in performance. Also, modern Fast Ethernet switches designed for small office / home office (SOHO) use are priced comparably to hubs, making use of a hub somewhat pointless if new equipment must be purchased anyway.
Because data is routed through the correct ports and not broadcast indiscriminately as with hubs, switches are somewhat more secure. Were a user with the intent of capturing other users' data to run a packet sniffer while connected through a switch, they'd usually see only their own data. In contrast, a hub would broadcast all traffic to all users.
Advantex Network Solutions can offer a variety of network switching hardware solutions from a layer two switch; for dedicated bandwidth to your users, to layer three and four switches and routers that connect buildings, sites or continents! Endless possibilities with top quality solutions and expertise.
All work is carried out in house, after a full site survey is undertaken to ensure the solution meets your requirements.
We have extensive support available with access to Cisco Certified and Microsoft Qualified engineers for your peace of mind.
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