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Guide on Network Switches | CompTIA Network+

Network Switches form a crucial part of any network infrastructure, playing a key role in the transmission and reception of data packets.

What it is: A network switch is a device that connects devices on a computer network by using packet switching to receive, and forward data to the destination device.

How it works: The switch receives incoming data from one of its ports and then forwards the data to the correct device using the device's MAC address. This helps in keeping the network organized and preventing data frames from being forwarded to unnecessary destinations.

Importance: Switches play a vital role in enhancing network efficiency, reducing traffic congestion, and increasing network performance.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Switches
1. Understand the basic functionality of a switch and difference between a hub and a switch.
2. Familiarize yourself with the concept of MAC addresses as these are often used in questions relating to how switches forward information.
3. Be familiar with different types of switches such as managed and unmanaged switches.
4. Understand VLANs, as most Exam questions will require knowledge of how Switches can segregate network traffic.

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Switches practice test

Switches are networking devices that connect devices together on a computer network and use packet switching to forward data to their destination. They work at the Data Link Layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model. Switches manage network traffic by maintaining a MAC address table that they use to filter and forward traffic only to the intended recipients, reducing overall network collisions and congestion. They can be managed or unmanaged; managed switches offer more features such as virtual LANs (VLANs) whereas unmanaged switches have pre-configured settings with limited functionality. These devices can be easily expanded to accommodate more network devices as the network grows, providing efficient traffic management.

Time: 5 minutes   Questions: 5

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