Lesson 3 - Switches

   Introduction

Switches are Data Link Layer (Layer 2) devices used to increase performance in LANs. In many networks, switches have replaced hubs and bridges to increase end-user performance. This lesson introduces the operation of switches and explains how they are implemented in networks.

   Objectives

At the end of this lesson you will be able to:

1.	Describe how a switch works
2.	Explain the difference between a switch and a bridge
3.	Explain how a switch effectively increases network bandwidth

Key Point
A switch uses frame addresses to make switching decisions, and provides faster performance than standard hubs.

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