Ethernetkytkin

Ethernetkytkin, often simply called a switch, is a networking hardware device that connects multiple devices on a computer network. It operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model, meaning it uses MAC addresses to forward data packets. When a device sends data, the switch reads the destination MAC address and sends the packet only to the port connected to that specific device. This is in contrast to older hubs, which broadcast data to all connected devices, leading to inefficiencies and collisions.

Switches are essential for building modern Local Area Networks (LANs). They allow for high-speed communication between devices within a network, such as computers, printers, and servers. By intelligently directing traffic, switches reduce network congestion and improve overall performance. They can connect a wide range of devices and support various Ethernet standards, including Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and 10 Gigabit Ethernet, offering different data transfer speeds.

Managed switches provide advanced features like Virtual LANs (VLANs), Quality of Service (QoS), and port mirroring, allowing administrators to configure and monitor network traffic more precisely. Unmanaged switches, on the other hand, are plug-and-play devices with no configuration options, suitable for smaller, simpler networks. The choice between managed and unmanaged switches depends on the network's complexity and the required level of control.