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Ethernet switch

Ethernet is the predominant network technology in the local area network (LAN) market, driven by its relatively low cost in comparison with other competing technologies. Because of the locality nature of the LAN, there are various network architectures that guide data to move across wires, cables or other media. Of all the architectures, Ethernet and token ring are the most commonly used network architectures. An Ethernet network is usually composed of several connected nodes known as general terminal equipment. In Ethernet networks, each of the network nodes connects to the Ethernet network through an Ethernet switch. When an Ethernet network card is being produced, a unique address code whose length is 6 bytes is assigned to it. With Ethernet, any device on the network, from central computers in headquarters to local computers on office desktops, can exchange data in a packet frame to any other locations in the network at any time. As a dominant LAN protocol, Ethernet is widely accepted and well understood. Its bandwidth evolution from Megabits per second (Mbps) to Gigabits per second (Gbps), as well as a competitive price per port, have attracted all types of service providers. Ethernet can be used without a synchronous optical network (SONET) protocol based network, thereby further reducing operating costs. Ethernet switches receive data frames at one or more ports. A data frame is an organized format of control or header data and payload data. The header data typically include fields such as the source address of the device transmitting the data frame, the destination address, length/type data indicating the length of the data frame as well as the data type of the payload data, and a frame check sequence field used as a form of error checking in verifying receipt of the data frame by the destination device. When a data packet is sent from one network to another, the Ethernet switch will first store the data packet. Then, according to the relevant information contained in the data packet, the switch determines the destination of the packet. Finally, it transfers the data packet to the destination network, completing the switching operation. Ethernet switches contain a table that maps Ethernet addresses to the ports of the switch via which communication with those Ethernet addresses takes place. When a packet arrives at the switch, the switch searches its table to determine via which port the packet must be transmitted.

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Ethernet switch product listings

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