Switching Concepts in Computer Network PDF
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Tahir HussainSwitching Concepts in Computer Network PDF
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Tahir HussainCommon questions
Powered by AIPacket Switching improves cost efficiency by sharing available bandwidth among multiple users, unlike Dedicated Lines that incur costs regardless of data transmission, as they remain open constantly. In Circuit Switching, a connection must be established each time data is transmitted, which can be inefficient for frequent but small data transfers. Packet Switching allows for bursty data transmission, making effective use of bandwidth without the constant costs of a dedicated line, thus optimizing for cost savings while maintaining flexibility .
Switches use MAC addresses stored in a MAC address table to forward frames. Initially, the table is empty. When a frame arrives, the switch records the source MAC address and the corresponding port in the table. For unknown destination addresses, switches flood the frame to all ports. In a scenario where PC0 sends a frame to PC2, the switch learns PC0's address and floods the frame since PC2's address is not yet known. When PC2 responds, the switch learns its address, leading to subsequent frames being sent directly, optimizing the process .
Store and Forward switching checks the entire frame for errors before forwarding, ensuring error-free frames but at the cost of higher latency due to full frame buffering. In contrast, Cut Through switching offers lower latency because it only checks the frame's destination address before forwarding. However, it does not check for errors, which can lead to the propagation of corrupted frames. The trade-off between these methods involves balancing the need for speed (Cut Through) with the requirement for error correction (Store and Forward), depending on the network's priorities and error tolerance .
The Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is critical in preventing Layer 2 network loops, which can occur in environments with redundant paths. By selectively disabling backup links and leaving a single active path between any two nodes, STP ensures stable network operations. If a primary link fails, STP activates a backup link, maintaining continual connectivity without creating loops. This redundancy management helps preserve the network's reliability and efficiency by preventing broadcast storms and data packet loops .
Switches operate at the Data Link Layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model and are responsible for handling frames. They help resolve network issues related to bandwidth and collisions by creating separate collision domains for each port, thus reducing the chances of network collisions. Each port on a switch is separated into a separate collision domain, which means that frames are only sent to their specific destination MAC address ports instead of all ports, as seen with hubs or repeaters. By doing this, switches improve network efficiency and manage bandwidth effectively .
In Ethernet networks, the Collision Detection process is managed through the CSMA/CD (Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Detection) protocol. This method allows network devices to detect when a collision occurs during data transmission. If a network interface card (NIC) detects a collision, it sends a jam signal to notify other devices to stop sending frames, waits for a random backoff time, and then attempts to retransmit. This collision management helps in maintaining network performance, but as the number of devices increases, so does the likelihood of collisions, which can lead to performance degradation due to repeated retransmissions .
Switching methods differ mainly in latency and error-checking processes. Store and Forward method has the highest latency as it involves buffering the complete frame and validating it using Frame Check Sequence (FCS). Cut Through method, with the lowest latency, only checks the destination address in the first six bytes and immediately forwards the frame, even if it is invalid. Fragment Free, a hybrid approach, checks the first 64 bytes of the frame to filter out any known errors like runts while maintaining low latency .
Dedicated Lines, or leased lines, are the most expensive because connections are always open, regardless of data transmission volume. They are suitable for constant, high-bandwidth needs. Circuit Switching is pay-per-use during actual data transmission, appropriate for intermittent, lower-bandwidth needs like telephone calls. Packet Switching, in contrast, is cost-effective since it shares bandwidth among users, making it suitable for bursty data transmission scenarios. It efficiently balances cost and bandwidth use, making it ideal for general-purpose, not continuous activities .
Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) in network switches are specialized processors designed to handle specific tasks like switching frames quickly. Unlike generic processors found in PCs, ASICs on switches are optimized to process data at higher speeds. For example, entry-level switches like Cisco's Catalyst 2960 process up to 2.7 million frames per second, while high-end models like the Catalyst 6500 can handle up to 400 million frames per second. This specialization allows switches to perform their tasks more efficiently, significantly enhancing network performance .
The dynamic method for building a MAC address table is preferred in regular devices because it allows the switch to automatically learn and update MAC addresses as frames are transmitted across the network. This reduces administrative overhead as no manual configuration is necessary, unlike the static method, which requires manual updates and is used primarily for enhanced security with critical resources. The ease and automation offered by the dynamic method make it more practical for general networking environments where devices frequently change or move .
