Network Switch

A network switch, which also is notoriously defined as switching hub in computing language, is actually recognized as a device known as computer networking device whose major or primary work is to connect different segments or parts of a computer network. The term is also considered closely related to the previously used term network bridge whose primary work is to route as well as process data at the OSI model’s layer known as data link layer or you may say layer 2.

But network switches may also perform an additional task, that normally is not performed by network bridges, which is known as processing of computer data over the layer 3 or you may say network layer. These kinds of switches are normally referred or called as Layer 3 switches or sometimes are called as multilayer switches because the data can be processed on or above layer 3 by these switches.

The in-discussion term network switch normally does not cover or include the passive or you may say unintelligent network devices in which repeaters as well as hubs are also included. Kalpana is the organization behind introducing the first switch or Ethernet switch in year 1990.

Most of the networks that are formed through Ethernet local area networks are seen having packet switch or you may say network switch being an integral part of their equipments of the network. A number of switches, known as linked managed switches, are normally included in LANs known as mid-to-large sized networks of local areas.


Typically single switch is used or utilized by the applications known as small office / home office or you may say “SOHO” and sometime gateways are also utilized by these small local area networks instead of using switches.

By : top10networkingtips