Switching

Switching is the process of forwarding data packets based on Media Access Control (MAC) addresses within a Local Area Network (LAN). Network switches operate at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model and are responsible for directing traffic efficiently by using MAC address tables to determine the correct port for each packet. Switching reduces network congestion and improves performance by ensuring that data is only sent to the specific devices that need it. This method contrasts with broadcast-based networks, where data is sent to all devices, leading to inefficiencies. Switching enables efficient, high-speed communication and scalability within LAN environments.