A switch is a device that operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model.
Features of Switch
| Feature | Switch | Description |
| Layer in OSI Model | Data Link Layer (Layer 2) | Operates primarily at the Data Link Layer. |
| MAC Address Usage | Uses MAC addresses for forwarding | Builds a MAC address table to forward data only to the intended device. |
| Traffic Handling | Intelligent traffic handling | Forwards data only to the specific device it’s intended for. |
| Collision Domain | Creates separate collision domains | Each port has its collision domain, minimizing collisions. |
| Efficiency | More efficient | Reduces unnecessary traffic, leading to better performance. |
| Bandwidth Support | Supports full-duplex communication | Allows data to be sent and received simultaneously, doubling potential bandwidth. |
In this lab, I used one switchand four end devices.
Connected each end device with copper cable.
| Switch: FastEthernet 0 | PC0: FastEthernet 0/1 PC1: FastEthernet 0/2 Laptop0: FastEthernet 0/3 Laptop1: FastEthernet 0/4 |
To streamline the network configuration, I chose to employ the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP). Subsequently, I navigated to the command prompt and initiated the ipconfig command on PC0 to dynamically allocate IPv4 addresses to the connected devices.
ipconfigIn the command prompt, I used ipconfig in order to check the IP addresse that assgined.
For clarity and organization, I crafted individual IP address labels for each device, facilitating a understanding of the network architecture. To validate the successful assignment of IP addresses through DHCP, I inspected the results within the command prompt.
ping 169.254.64.113Executing the ping command from PC0’s command prompt, I demonstrated the flawless communication capabilities within the network, specifically targeting Laptop 1. This process highlighted the precision of the switch, as it selectively delivered data frames solely to the intended destination device identified by its unique MAC address.
In PCU information, I also can check how data frame will be delivered.