Switching

Switching is a fundamental networking concept that involves forwarding data packets between devices in a local area network (LAN). In a switched network, devices such as computers, servers, printers, and other network-enabled devices are interconnected using network switches. Unlike hubs, which broadcast data to all connected devices, switches use a technique called packet switching to selectively forward data only to the intended recipient. When a switch receives a data packet, it examines the destination MAC address in the packet header and forwards the packet to the port associated with that MAC address, enabling point-to-point communication between devices. This process optimizes network bandwidth and reduces collisions, enhancing network performance and efficiency. Switching operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model and forms the backbone of modern LANs, providing fast, reliable, and scalable connectivity for connected devices.