Auto-Negotiation

packet header, searches the routing table provided for the incoming port and forwards the packet, only if required. The fast forwarding makes the switch attractive for connecting servers directly to the network, thereby increasing throughput and availability. However, the switch is most com- monly used to segment existing hubs, which nearly always improves over- all performance. A Ethernet Switch can be easily configured in any Ethernet network environment to significantly boost bandwidth using con- ventional cabling and adapters.

Due to the learning function of the Ethernet switch, the source address and corresponding port number of each incoming and outgoing packet are stored in a routing table. This information is subsequently used to filter packets whose destination address is on the same segment as the source address. This confines network traffic to its respective domain, reducing the overall load on the network.

The Switch performs "Store-and-forward" therefore, no error packets occur. More reliably, it reduces the re-transmission rate. No packet loss will occur.

The STP ports on the Switch have built-in "Auto-Negotiation." This tech- nology automatically sets the best possible bandwidth when a connection is established with another network device (usually at Power On or Reset). This is done by detect the modes and speeds at the second of both device is connected and capable of. Both 10Base-T and 100Base-TX devices can connect with the 100Base-TX port in either Half- or Full-Duplex mode.

If attached device is:	100Base-TX port will set to:

10Mbps, no auto-negotiation	10Mbps
10Mbps, with auto-negotiation	10/20Mbps (10Base-T/Full-Duplex)
100Mbps, no auto-negotiation	100Mbps
100Mbps, with auto-negotiation	100/200Mbps(100Base-TX/Full-Duplex)

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