4
Ethernet Switching Technology dramatically boo sted the total bandwidth of a
network, eliminated congestion problems inherent with CSMA/CD (Carrier
Sense multiple access with Collision Detection) 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 the
store-and-forward technology’s approach of inspecting each packet to intercept
corrupt or redundant data, switching elim inated unnecessary transmission that
slow the network. By employing address learning, which replaced 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 require disablement for some networking operations involves legacy
equipment. Disabling the auto-negotiation is accomplished by fixing the speed
or duplex of a port.
Ethernet Switching Technology supplied higher performance at costs lower
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 brought a whole new way of
thinking to networking.