Dictionary · Networking Fundamentals
Collision Domain
Forwarding · Intermediate
A section of a network where simultaneous transmissions can collide. Each port on a modern full-duplex switch is its own domain.
Old shared cables and hubs forced devices to take turns. A switched full-duplex port removes that sharing, which is why collisions are rare on modern wired networks.
Example: A hub puts every attached device in one collision domain. A switch gives each full-duplex port its own.
Common misconception
- Seeing a switch does not matter if the port has fallen back to half duplex. Duplex mismatches can still produce errors.