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Questions tagged [switch]

A network switch or a hub is a computer networking device that connects network segments.

From Wikipedia: A network switch or a hub is a computer networking device that connects network segments.

An Ethernet hub is a repeater which repeats the incoming transmission from one (active) port on all other ports. Unlike a switch it does not do smart things.

An Ethernet switch is smarter. It initially acts like a hub, but it learns the MAC addresses present on each port. Once it knows the matching MAC address it only repeats the data to the correct port, thus leaving other ports free for communication.

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Why do switches say 10/100/1000?

You often find Switches that say something like 10/100/1000Mbps. I get that the numbers mean possible speeds, but why not just write "up to 1000Mbps" or something? Is there more meaning to it?
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Why is a router needed?

I‘ve been trying to figure out why a router is needed. I know a router can be used for DHCP and some other things, but I’m just thinking of networking with static IPs. So the following: Is it possible to do the following with static IPs: Modem ->…
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Does All LAN Traffic Travel Through A Router

I have a very simple question: if I have a router (DHCP enabled - leasing IP addresses between 192.168.0.2 and 192.168.0.254) with a switch plugged in, and I plug two computers into the switch, will the network traffic (file transfers etc.) be sent…
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Can I connect a PC to a PoE switch?

I have a switch with Power over Ethernet capabilities. Is it allowed to connect a PC to a PoE switch?
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How should I connect 7 devices to a switch module with four ethernet interfaces? Is there a preferred topology?

I have a router/switch with four switch ports on the back, to which I need to connect seven devices. Is there a reason to prefer one or other of the below topologies, or would a completely different setup be better? ============ || || ||…
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Difference between Ethernet splitter and switch

I have one Ethernet port that is wired directly to the router on another level. However, I want to run a desktop and a server both off this one Ethernet port. Can anyone tell me the difference between an Ethernet splitter and a switch? Also,…
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Looking for a fiber optic "switch" or "router" for home use

The gist of my question: What is a "fiber optic" switch called? I.E. a layer 2 ethernet switch that uses fiber TX and RX connections and sends layer 2 network traffic between the fiber strands that are connected. Can someone purchase a…
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Do 'dumb' (non-smart, non-managed) switches have an IP address?

Do 'dumb' switches, i.e., non-smart, non-managed network switches have an IP address? I'm scanning various ranges and not seeing them show up. I know by their definition they won't have a web interface, but I wonder if they would show up at all?
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My ISP doesn't use a modem. How does this work?

I have only an Ethernet cable straight to my apartment. The Internet works when I just plug in this cable into the computer. They say that there is a switch somewhere in the apartment building. Where is actually the modem? Is it somewhere on the ISP…
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Why use half duplex at all?

I know what full and half duplex is, but in all respects full duplex has more advantages, so why use half duplex at all, in other words: In full duplex connection , the bandwidth doubles and collision does not occur, so why is there half duplex at…
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I am confused about the way a common home router works: Shouldn’t the MAC addresses be enough to forward the information to the correct destination?

From what I've understood, the way it works is something like this: Why the necessity of associating private IP addresses to each one of the addresses connected? Shouldn’t the MAC addresses be enough to forward the information to the correct…
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Why are there no wireless switches?

I know that we all are now using wireless routers, but why are there no wireless switches? What's the problem we are facing in introducing that technology or are these wireless switches not needed now? Please explain.
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What happens if an unmanaged ethernet switch is looped (connected to itself)?

I don't know much at all about networking, and I when I tried to find an answer to this online I found someone who posted a one sentence answer saying "It would cause lots of broadcasts and collisions." What would happen, if anything at all, if I…
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What differences are there between "home" switches and "professional" switches?

Our radio station uses a PtP wireless system to stream our radio and TV signals from our studio up a hill to our transmitter. We have been having problems with warbly sound and drop outs that come from some point in this system. An engineer that…
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Is chaining two switches different than connecting both switches directly to the router?

I am setting up the network for our small companies new office - I have about 20 computers upstairs and 20 down. There is a switch on each floor, the router is downstairs, and a cat5e cable running between floors. All computers should be on the same…
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