Do You Actually Understand the Role of Ethernet Switches?

Ethernet switches are network devices used for data switching and transmission and are often deployed in enterprise backbones, data centers and server rooms to support high bandwidth requirements. So do you really know about Ethernet switches? What are the roles of Ethernet switches? This article will provide you with detailed answers.

The Role and Main Functions of Ethernet Switches

As mentioned above, an Ethernet switch is a network device based on Ethernet for data transmission and exchange, so what are its main functions?

1. Provide network interfaces for interconnection: The main role of Ethernet switches in a network system is to provide network interfaces for network devices so that they can interconnect with each other.
   
2. Expandable network interfaces: Generally, Ethernet switches have up to 48 ports, and when the network demand is large, Ethernet switches can be stacked to meet the network demand.
   
3. Expandable network range: Ethernet switches are connected to network devices by transmission media, and the transmission distance of each transmission media is different and limited according to the network technology used. When the network coverage area is large, Ethernet switches will relay to expand the transmission distance exponentially and increase the network range.
   
4. Ethernet switch learning function: The Ethernet switch can learn the MAC address of each port connected device and map the MAC address to the corresponding port, which is stored in the MAC address table of the switch cache.
   
5. Forwarding/filtering function of Ethernet switch: When the destination address of a data frame is mapped in the MAC address table, it will be forwarded to the port of the connected destination.
   
6. Loop elimination function of Ethernet switch: When an Ethernet switch includes a redundant loop, it can avoid loop generation and allow the existence of a backup path through the Spanning Tree Protocol.
   

NADDOD Ethernet Switch Solution

NADDOD Ethernet switches are self-developed high-performance, highly secure and reliable intelligent Ethernet switches. We classify Ethernet switches into Layer 2 Ethernet switches and Layer 3 Ethernet switches according to their working protocol layers, where Layer 2 Ethernet switches adopt Layer 2 switching technology and Layer 3 Ethernet switches adopt Layer 2 switching technology and Layer 3 forwarding technology.

1. Layer 2 Ethernet Switch
   The NADDOD Layer 2 Ethernet switch is a green, environmentally friendly and energy-saving Ethernet switch with a high-performance, low-power processor that provides full-speed Gigabit forwarding performance, supports Ethernet line dormancy and multiple operating systems (e.g. web interface management), has rich service processing capabilities and flexible port combinations, and can meet the needs of SMB network deployment and campus network for high-density access and high-performance aggregation. It can meet the needs of SMB network deployment and campus network for high-density access and high-performance aggregation.
   
2. Layer 3 Ethernet Switch
   The NADDOD Layer 3 Ethernet switch is a high-performance Ethernet switch that meets the requirements of data centers and enterprise networks. It is equipped with complete system software that provides a comprehensive range of protocols and applications to facilitate rapid deployment of traditional L2/L3 networks and supports advanced features such as MLAG, VXLAN, NVGRE and SNMP.
   

Precautions for Using Ethernet Switches

In order to ensure that the Ethernet switch works properly and has a long service life, the following precautions should be taken when using it.

1. Place the Ethernet switch in a ventilated, dry area with little dust and weak electromagnetic interference.
   
2. When placing the Ethernet switch, please pay attention to the stability of the switch to avoid unnecessary damage caused by dropping the Ethernet switch.
   
3. Leave enough space around the Ethernet switch for proper heat dissipation of the Ethernet switch.
   
4. Do not place heavy objects on the Ethernet switch.
   
5. The power supply voltage of the power cord should meet the input voltage range of the switch to ensure proper power supply.
   

Summary

As Ethernet switches continue to improve in performance and reduce in cost, they are now widely used in enterprise networks and data centers.