Ethernet Switching Technology 
Ethernet Switching Technology dramatically boosted the total bandwidth of a network, eliminated congestion problems inherent with Carrier Sense multiple access with Collision Detection ( CSMA/CD ) protocol, and greatly reduced unnecessary transmissions.
This revolutionized networking. First, by allowing two-way, simultaneous transmissions over the same port ( Full-duplex ), which essentially doubled the bandwidth. Second, by reducing the collision domain to a single switch-port, which eliminated the need for carrier sensing. Third, by using store-and-forward technology to inspect each packet and intercept corrupt or redundant data. Switching eliminated unnecessary transmission that slows the network. Address- learning was employed to replace the inefficient receiving port.
Auto-negotiation regulates the speed and duplex of each port, based on the capability of both devices. Flow-control allows transmission from a 100Mbps node to a 10Mbps node without loss of data. Auto-negotiation and flow-control may need to be disabled for some network applications involving legacy equipment. Disabling the auto-negotiation is accomplished by fixing the speed or duplex of a port.
Ethernet Switching Technology supplied higher performance at lower costs than other solutions. Wider bandwidth, no congestion, and the reduction in traffic is why switching is replacing expensive routers and inefficient hubs as the ultimate networking solution. Switching brings a new way of thinking to networking.
Hardware Description
This Section describes the hardware of the SmartGST-2402M and gives a physical and
functional overview of this Switch.
The physical dimensions of the SmartGST-2402M are: 440mm x 160mm x 44mm (
L x W x H )
Front Panel 
The Front Panel of the SmartGST-2402M consists of twenty-four 10/100Base-TX RJ-45 ports ( Auto MDI/MDIX ) and one Expansion slot. The LED Indicators are also located on the front panel of the Switch.
