and Spanning-Tree
Protocol (STP)
When Cisco discusses switching, it’s talking about layer-2
switching unless contrarily mentioned.
Layer-2 switching
is the
process of application the accouterments abode of accessories on a LAN to
segment a network. In this affiliate I’ll focus on the particulars of layer-2 switching so you can
understand how it works.
OK, you apperceive that switching break up ample blow domains into abate ones and that
a blow area is a arrangement articulation with two or added accessories administration the aforementioned bandwidth.
A hub arrangement is a archetypal archetype of this blazon of technology. But back anniversary anchorage on
a about-face is absolutely its own blow domain, you can accomplish a abundant bigger Ethernet LAN
network aloof by replacing your hubs with switches!
Routing protocols accept processes for endlessly arrangement loops from occurring at the
Network layer. However, if you accept bombastic concrete links amid your switches, routing
protocols won’t do a affair to stop loops from occurring at the Data Link layer. That’s exactly
the acumen Spanning-Tree Protocol was developed—to put a stop to loops in a layer-2
switched network.