Working principle of Ethernet switch

Ethernet switch, also known as switching hub, is a simplified (typical) bridge, which is generally used to interconnect a type of local area network (for example, Ethernet; Interconnection of ethernet. The difference between a switch and a bridge is that there are more ports in the switch; The data transmission efficiency of the switch is high. Ethernet switches use store-and-forward technology or straight-through technology to forward information frames.

Store and forward switching

Functionally, it is a technology used by the bridge, which can wait until all the data are received before processing, including checking and forwarding. Compared with the straight-through technology, the transmission delay is longer.

Direct exchange

When the destination address (MAC address) of a frame is received, the destination port is immediately decided and the forwarding is started, instead of waiting for all bytes of a frame to be received before forwarding. Compared with the store-and-forward technology, it reduces the transmission delay, but it can't be checked during transmission, and it may also transmit broadcast storms.

Adaptive switch

Some switches can use both technologies. When the network error rate is low, the straight-through technology is adopted, and when the network error rate is high, the store-and-forward technology is adopted. This kind of switch is called adaptive switch.