How does network switch work ?

Thread Starter

vead

Joined Nov 24, 2011
629
Hello everyone
As I understand network switch is a computer networking device that is used to connect many computers together on a computer network. Suppose I have switch and I have four computers A, B, C, and D in room. These computers are connected to switch.
Can I do following things
send data from computer A to computer D
send data from computer A to computer C
send data from computer A to computer B
send data from computer B to computer A
send data from computer B to computer C
send data from computer B to computer D
send data from computer C to computer A
send data from computer D to computer A
Actually I don't understand How does network switch work ? when does it send and receive data ?
 

shteii01

Joined Feb 19, 2010
4,644
Actually I have been visited that' sites but I don't understand by just reading. Can you help me with example. suppose we are three guy's live in room . Each guy has their own PC. now we all three want to share file (image , audio) and we don't have internet connection and we don't have pen drives. we can use bluetooth. but I don't want to use it because I am just trying to build my own network to share file together. according to my my understanding, we need to use networking device such as hub , switch or router and cables. I will use switch. so three PCs are connected to single switch to share file together. is it all a example of simple networking ?
Yes.
Switch is hub with brains.
https://www.lifewire.com/layers-of-the-osi-model-illustrated-818017
 

shteii01

Joined Feb 19, 2010
4,644
I think HUB and switch are two different things. I don't understand when does we use switch and network ? can you explain with example
Hub is dumb. Switch is smart hub.

Example.
You have 4 pc: pc1, pc2, pc3, pc4.
All pc are connected to hub.
You send a file from pc1 to pc2. The file leaves pc1 and arrives to the hub. Here is why hub is dumb. Hub allows the file to go to ALL the pc that are connected to it. But since your file is addressed to pc2, only pc2 actually accepts the file. pc3 and pc4 simply ignore the file because they see that it was not addressed to them.

Notice anything interesting about dumb hub? It allows data to go to all the pc instead of directing it to the specific pc. On small network like home lan that is not a problem. On large network with hundreds of pc it is a BIG problem because hub will fill network with unneeded traffic. That is why switch was invented. Switch is a hub with brains. Switch reads the destination address and directs traffic to specific pc, without filling the network with unneeded traffic, without causing network congestion.

End file.
 

DickCappels

Joined Aug 21, 2008
10,661
In summary, the advantage of using switches over hubs is that the network can run faster with a switch because the traffic is kept separate.
 
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