4. Network Switches and Bridges

• A network switch (or bridge) connects multiple network segments.

• Switch routes data at the Data link layer, or layer 2 of the OSI model.

• Switch and hub difference:

  • switches can have ports of different speed.

• Bridges tend to be more complex than hubs or repeaters:

  • analyze incoming packets;

  • determine if packet can be sent to another segment of this network.