Operating Features of Network Switch and its Management

Abstract

In today’s world, networks use Switches to connect computers, printers and servers within a building, factory or campus. A switch serves as a transit medium, which helps the end devices that are connected to communicate with each other efficiently. The purpose of this paper is to focus on the concept of Switching, its features and operating mode, with the real time issues and the solutions. Switch, a device, works in layer 2 and layer 3 of network, is associated with switching capability and routing capability respectively. The process flow is observed in VLAN as well as WAN connectivity. Switches have Ethernet ports and uplink ports with the mechanism of trunking that helps to carry multiple VLANs across the trunk.  Spanning tree protocol enables ports to forward or block while port security features work on security in LAN. We also discuss the real time issues in Switching and the ways to solve them.