Amer Networks SD8N - Manual (Page 11)

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other 10Mbps Ethernet environments, it provides a
straightforward upgrade and takes advantage of the
existing investment in hardware, software, and
personnel training.
Switching Technology
Another approach to pushing beyond the limits of
Ethernet technology is the development of switching
technology. A switch bridges Ethernet packets at the
MAC address level of the Ethernet protocol
transmitting among connected Ethernet or Fast
Ethernet LAN segments.
Switching is a cost-effective way of increasing the total
network capacity available to users on a local area
network. A switch increases capacity and decreases
network loading by dividing a local area network into
different segments, which don’t compete with each
other for network transmission capacity.
The switch acts as a high-speed selective bridge
between the individual segments. The switch, without
interfering with any other segments, automatically
forwards traffic that needs to go from one segment to
another. By doing this the total network capacity is
multiplied, while still maintaining the same network
cabling and adapter cards.