What is the function of the switch?

Functionally, switches are used to connect multiple devices and make them interoperable with each other.

According to the definition, a switch is a network device, which can connect multiple devices to a computer network and forward data to a destination through packet exchange.

Visible to the naked eye, the switch has many ports, which are identified by MAC address, that is, the hardware address of the network card, so as to realize the function of data exchange; Switches work very much like idealized traffic. Vehicles (data) at each fork (the port of the switch) have their own dedicated lanes, and each vehicle has its own destination (MAC address), so the traffic on the main road will not be blocked (the characteristic of the switch is to exchange data without blocking).

2. Under what circumstances do you use the switch?

Let's take a look at this simple data exchange scenario. If data exchange (communication) is needed between two devices, we only need to connect the network ports of the two devices with a network cable. After setting the MAC address of the device, data exchange can be realized.

But what if there are more than three devices? For example, a computer, a printer and a camera, how to realize the communication of these three devices? This is another device "switch" we need.

Note: Many people have another question. Can the router solve this problem? In the case of few equipment, it is actually possible. Now the router integrates the switch function.

3. Connection of switch

At present, there are two kinds of longest connecting wires: twisted pair (network cable) and optical fiber; The connection modes can be divided into: terminal connection switch, switch connection switch, switch connection with router, switch cascade, switch stack, link aggregation, etc.

The above knowledge is very general and easy to understand, but it is only the tip of the iceberg. In fact, there are many professional knowledge about switches, such as how to manage switches, how to access and configure switches, and so on. Of course, Bian Xiao is not a professional switch god. What I can do is to let everyone have a preliminary and simple understanding of switch, so that you are no longer a little white who knows nothing about switch.

The power of the network is enormous, because all kinds of great gods and their magical powers are gathered on the network.