A switch, also known as a switch, is a seemingly uncomplicated device that is responsible for switching information packets, and also allows you to combine the computers connected to it into a local network.
Probably, almost every network user at least once had a chance to see or hear about such a device as a switch. It is with their use that most of the networks that we use now are built. And many will probably be interested to know how the switch functions. Often on the network you can see how on various forums, users call switches hubs. But this is fundamentally wrong, since hubs were the forerunners of modern switches. The main difference between a switch and a hub is that it can memorize the addresses of devices connected to it and direct targeted traffic to the desired port. The hub, when receiving traffic, simply sent / duplicated it to all ports at once. When the switch is turned on, it starts working according to the same principle as the hub: it receives information and duplicates it on all ports. But at the same time, "learning" is taking place. The switch remembers the MAK addresses of the devices connected to it and enters them into a special table that is stored in its memory. After the address is entered in the table, the packets directed to it are no longer sent to everyone in a row, but are sent exclusively to the selected recipient. After a short "learning" time, or more precisely, defining, memorizing and building an address table, each packet will only go to the intended port. Switches come in different sizes: from small and almost inconspicuous boxes for several ports, to massive devices that have 48 ports each. There are also unmanaged (simple) and managed switches. While the former work only according to one specified scheme, the latter lend themselves to setting their individual parameters through the Web interface, RMON and others. Also, if necessary, it is possible to combine complex switches into arrays, which form a stack and already, in fact, become one device.
