LAN Switching

LAN switching is the process of forwarding data packets between network segments, known as LAN segments, by using a switch. A switch is a network device that operates at the data link layer (layer 2) of the OSI model and is used to connect devices together on a local area network (LAN).

Switches make forwarding decisions based on the destination MAC address of incoming packets. When a packet is received on one of the switch ports, the switch looks up the destination MAC address in its MAC address table to determine which port to forward the packet out of. This process is known as MAC address learning, and it allows switches to send data only to the intended destination device rather than broadcasting it to all devices on the network.

Switches can also perform advanced functions such as VLAN tagging, Quality of Service (QoS), and port mirroring to monitor network traffic. Additionally, switches can support different speeds and duplex settings for each port, allowing them to connect to devices with different network interface card (NIC) capabilities.

LAN switching provides several benefits to a network, including increased bandwidth utilization, improved network performance, reduced collisions, and enhanced security by segregating traffic into separate VLANs.