Network Technologies FES-1800 - Manual (Page 9)

- Check the validity of each signal it receives and discard invalid signal.
- Show whether each network node is currently connected, idle, transmiting
data, or in half/full duplex. Indicating a collision it gives users an idea on the
network's current traffic status, Collisions occur frequently in a Fast Ethernet
network.
Different applications are used to for different network devices. Those applica-
tions performed by a switch have functions as follows:
- Establish peer-to-peer relations between workstations.
- Interconnect users' workstations to a server for a stand-alone client-server net-
work.
- Interconnect different users' workstations, servers or other devices and uplink
with another Fast Ethernet switch to form a larger network.
- Interconnect different users' workstations, and servers. Uplink the switch with
another Fast Ethernet switch to provid a connection with another network
expansion device, such as a router, switch or bridge.
A switch thus acts as a central piece in a network topology and configuration. It
is necessary to carefully study its physical emplacement and the configuration of the
network.
Quick Overview of Networking Terminology
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