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Ethernet Switching Technology Ethernet Switching Technology dramatically boosted 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), that essentially doubled the
bandwidth. Second, by reducing the collision domain to a single switch-port, that
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 eliminated 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.