Question

Explain the following device:

Switch

Answer 1

A switch is a networking device, that plays a central role in a Local Area Network (LAN). Like a hub, a network switch is used to connect multiple computers or communicating devices.

When data arrives, the switch extracts the destination address from the data packet and looks it up in a table to see where to send the packet. Thus, it sends signals to only selected devices instead of sending them to all. It can forward multiple packets at the same time. A switch does not forward signals which are noisy or corrupted. It drops such signals and asks the sender to resend them.