Switch

• A network switch is a computer networking device is capable of inspecting data packets as they are received, determining the source and destination device of every packet.
• A network switch forwards packets between the specified sender and receiver ports only.
• In Below example, C and D will never receive a data which is not destined for them.

• The below figure show the some of the switches.

• Layer 2 switches (unmanaged switches) using MAC addresses of connected devices.

• Layer 3 switches (managed switches) using IP addresses of connected devices. Providing more features than layer 2 switches.

Advantages of Switch

• The number of broadcast domains gets decreased.
• It can make use of CAM table for port to MAC mapping.
• Unlike router,multi ports of switches are available in lower cost.

Disadvantages of Switch

• Proper designing and configuration is required if multicast packets are being handled.
• While limiting broadcasts,switches are not as good as routers.