Network Switch Types and Selection
Network switches emerged in the early 1990s to overcome the performance limitations of Ethernet networks. Unlike traditional hubs, which broadcast data to all ports, switches can forward frames selectively based on destination MAC addresses. That capability made them a core component of modern network infrastructure. In the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) 7-layer model, switches are classified from L1 to L7 according to the layer at which they operate. Each type has distinct characteristics and purposes, analyzing protocol information at its respective layer to process traffic. ...