Use Of Switches In Networks

There is a very important use of switches in networks of various kinds. Switches form an integral part of computer networks as the role of network switches is to connect various segments of a network together to a local area network.

The use of switches in computer networks is usually takes place in the in one or more layers of the Open Systems Interconnections protocol which might include physical layer, data link layer, network layer or the transport layer. The device which functions simultaneously at more than one of these layers is called as the multilayer switch.

The role of switches in networks which are commercial networks is in the form of built-in or modular interfaces which make it feasible to attach various kinds of networks, such as Ethernet, ATM, Fibre Channel, ITU-T G.hn and 802.11.

The role of network switches is very important as this connectivity can be done at any of the layers. While the functionality of the second layer of the OSI model is sufficient for shifting the speed within one technology, interconnecting technologies like token ring and Ethernet are easily done at third layer of the OSI model.

Switches in networks are also used for interconnecting different networks at third layer of OSI model with the help of routers. The important features which can be used to that characterize "Layer-3 switches" in contrast to general-purpose routers, is that they are optimized, in larger switches, for high-density Ethernet connectivity.

There are some environments and service providers that call for a deeper analysis of network performance and security, and then switches may be connected between WAN routers as places for analytic modules in some of the cases.

There are some other cases in which the switches in networks are used to form a mirror image of data which can be directed to an external device. Since majority of switch port mirroring offer only one mirrored stream, the network hubs provide a useful way for fanning out data to several read-only analyzers, like intrusion detection systems and packet sniffers.