Module 2 Flashcards
Which switching method is more appropriate for latency-sensitive applications?
Cut-through switching is appropriate for applications where latency must be under 10 microseconds.
Example: High-frequency trading systems often require cut-through switching.
What is a collision domain?
A collision domain is a network segment where data packets can collide with one another when being sent on a shared medium, such as an Ethernet network in half-duplex mode.
Additional information: Collision domains are minimized in full-duplex mode.
How do switches help in eliminating collision domains?
Switches eliminate collision domains by using full-duplex communication, where each device has a dedicated communication path.
Example: Switches separate devices into individual collision domains.
What happens in a half-duplex communication mode?
In half-duplex mode, multiple devices share the same communication path, which can result in collisions and contention for bandwidth.
Example: Ethernet hubs operate in half-duplex mode.
What is a broadcast domain?
A broadcast domain is the range of devices on a network segment that receive broadcast frames sent by any device in the segment. It extends across all Layer 1 and Layer 2 devices on a LAN.
Example: VLANs can be used to divide broadcast domains.
Which device can break a broadcast domain?
A Layer 3 device, such as a router, can break a broadcast domain.
Example: Routers separate broadcast domains.
What effect does increasing the number of devices at Layer 1 or Layer 2 have on the broadcast domain?
Increasing the number of devices at Layer 1 or Layer 2 will expand the broadcast domain, potentially causing congestion and reducing network performance.
Example: Adding more devices to a switch can increase broadcast domain size.
What features of switches help alleviate network congestion?
Fast Port Speeds
Fast Internal Switching
Large Frame Buffers
High Port Density
Example: Switches with high port density can handle more local traffic without congesting the network.
What is Content Addressable Memory (CAM)?
CAM is a type of memory used by switches to build and store the MAC address table for frame forwarding decisions.
Example: CAM is used in Layer 2 switches for MAC address lookups.
What is a MAC address table?
A MAC address table is a data structure that maps MAC addresses to specific ports on a switch, allowing it to forward frames to the correct destination.
Example: MAC address tables are dynamically updated as devices connect and disconnect.
What is the purpose of automatic buffering in switch operations?
Automatic buffering helps manage speed differences between ingress and egress ports by storing frames temporarily.
Example: Automatic buffering prevents frame loss during periods of congestion.
What is fragment-free switching?
Fragment-free switching is a type of cut-through switching that checks the first 64 bytes of a frame to ensure it is free from collisions and runts before forwarding.
Example: Fragment-free switching reduces the likelihood of forwarding damaged frames.
What is the difference between ingress and egress in networking terms?
Ingress is the entry port of a frame into the network device, while egress is the exit port from the network device.
Example: Ingress traffic is processed by the switch before being sent out through egress ports.
How does a switch handle broadcast or unknown unicast frames?
The switch floods the frame out of all interfaces except the ingress port.
Example: Broadcast frames are forwarded to all devices in the broadcast domain.
How do switches manage congestion and collision domains?
Switches use full-duplex communication to eliminate collision domains and use MAC address tables to direct frames, reducing congestion.
Example: Full-duplex communication allows for simultaneous data transmission and reception, reducing collisions.
