MACadressetabeller

MACadressetabeller, often referred to as MAC tables or CAM tables (Content Addressable Memory tables), are essential components in network switches. These tables store mappings between the Media Access Control (MAC) addresses of devices connected to a switch and the specific physical ports on the switch to which those devices are connected. When a switch receives a data frame, it examines the destination MAC address. It then consults its MAC address table to determine the correct port to forward the frame out of. This process allows the switch to direct traffic only to the intended recipient, rather than broadcasting it to all connected ports, thereby improving network efficiency and reducing collisions.

MAC address tables are dynamic. As devices connect to or disconnect from the network, or if a device moves to a different port, the switch updates its table accordingly. This learning process typically involves the switch observing the source MAC address of incoming frames. When a frame arrives on a port, the switch adds an entry to its MAC address table associating the source MAC address with that particular port. If an entry for a MAC address already exists, its associated port information is updated. This dynamic updating mechanism ensures that the table remains current and accurate, facilitating efficient data forwarding across the local network segment.