Switch

A switch is a computer networking device that connects Ethernet segments. The switch connects Ethernet segments together as needed and the connections are maintained only as long as data is being transmitted. This point-to-point approach allows the switch to connect multiple pairs of segments at a time allowing more than one computer to transmit data at a time.

There are three types of ways in which a switch can opperate:

• [cut through]?
• [store and forward]?
• [error free cut-through]?

A switch is similar to a hub in that it provides a single broadcast domain, but is unique in that each port? on a switch is it's own [collision domain]?.

Switches provide difficulties in monitoring traffic because each port is isolated until it transmits data and even then only the sending and recieving port?s are connected. Two popular methods are in use today:

• [port mirroring]?
• SMON?