LAN switches are installed in the existing cable networks and they can easily replace the existing hubs. LAN switches provide the separate connection to each computer in the network. They reduce the traffic and increase the bandwidth for the network applications and segments.
LAN switches provide the converged communication on the IP based networks such as Ethernet. Switching technologies play an important role in the network communications and designs. Using the switching technology allows the network to control the flow of inbound and outbound traffic.
Cisco LAN Switch is one of the most common network switches. It provides the hardware-based bridges between the devices based on the MAC address, more speed, low latency, security, more bandwidth and high availability of the network devices and applications.
It provides the high speed, voice, video and data communications over the Ethernet network.
LAN switching technology helps to increase the efficiency and performance of the local area networks. Typically LAN switching technology provides the following benefits.
Benefits of Switching Technology
- Network Management
- Fault Tolerance
- Bandwidth utilization
- Traffic flow control
- Helps in the VLAN design and deployment
- Content and IP based filtering
- Integrated voice, video and data communications.
- Switch maintains multiple connections.
- Latency and Delay control
Static and Dynamic Switching
There are mainly two types of the Switching technology i.e.
Static: The static switching is similar to hub in which data is broadcasted to all the ports and only the destined port picks up the data.
Dynamic: In the dynamic switching the data is transmitted only to the destination computers by studying the header information of the data packets.
Switching technology resolves the bandwidth and congestion problems in the network and provides the basis for the future network technologies and applications.