Some terms that are in common use in Networking

Here are some terms that are in common use in Networking:

Switch

The general term used for anything that can switch, regardless of discipline or

what is being switched. In the networking world, a switch is generally an Ethernet

switch. In the telecom world, a switch can be many things.

Ethernet switch

Any device that forwards frames based on their layer-2 MAC addresses using

Ethernet. While a hub repeats all frames to all ports, an Ethernet switch forwards

frames only to the ports for which they are destined. An Ethernet switch creates a

collision domain on each port, while a hub generally expands a collision domain

through all ports.

Layer-3 switch

This is a switch with routing capabilities. Generally, VLANs can be configured

as virtual interfaces on a layer-3 switch. True layer-3 switches are rare today;

most switches are now multilayer switches.

Multilayer switch

Same as a layer-3 switch, but may also allow for control based on higher layers in

packets. Multilayer switches allow for control based on TCP, UDP, and even

details contained within the data payload of a packet.

Switching

In Ethernet, switching is the act of forwarding frames based on their destination

MAC addresses. In telecom, switching is the act of making a connection between

two parties. In routing, switching is the process of forwarding packets from one

interface to another within a router