Network switch

A network switch connects devices within a local area network and forwards data frames toward their intended destinations, usually using MAC addresses.

Ethernet frame: A data-link-layer unit that carries payload and addressing information over Ethernet. Switches inspect frame headers to identify source and destination MAC addresses.
Computer network: A collection of interconnected devices that exchange data using communication protocols. A network switch is one component within a computer network.
Router: A device that forwards packets between distinct networks using network-layer addresses. Routers choose paths between networks, while switches usually forward frames within one LAN.
Managed switch: A configurable network switch that supports administrative controls such as VLANs, monitoring, and access policies. Managed switches let administrators control how a switched network is divided and monitored.
Collision domain: A network segment in which simultaneous transmissions can interfere with one another. A switch gives each port its own collision domain, unlike a shared hub segment.
MAC address table: A switch-maintained mapping from MAC addresses to the ports where those addresses were learned. This table lets the switch choose an outgoing port for a known destination.
Ethernet: A family of wired networking technologies used to connect devices on local area networks. Most familiar switches forward Ethernet traffic.
Ethernet hub: A physical-layer device that repeats incoming signals to all its other ports. A hub broadcasts signals indiscriminately, unlike a switch’s destination-based forwarding.
Unmanaged switch: A network switch that forwards traffic with little or no user configuration. It provides basic connectivity without the controls available on managed models.
Broadcast domain: A set of devices that receive one another’s link-layer broadcast frames. A basic switch forwards broadcasts across its VLAN, shaping the LAN’s broadcast reach.

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