Dictionary · Networking Fundamentals
Switching
Forwarding · Beginner
Forwarding frames inside a local network to the port where the destination hardware address was learned, instead of repeating them out every port.
A switch watches source hardware addresses and builds a table. Later frames go only to the port that should receive them, which keeps other ports quieter.
Example: After learning a workstation on port 7, the switch sends frames for that hardware address out port 7 only.
Common misconception
- A basic switch does not choose routes between Internet networks. It forwards local frames.