A Fully Switched Network

• In a fully switched network, switches

replace all the hubs of an Ethernet network
BIT 1305 – Computer Networks with a dedicated segment for every node.
These segments connect to a switch, which
supports multiple dedicated segments
Internetworking Devices (sometimes in the hundreds). Since the only
(Network Electronics) devices on each segment are the switch and
Lecture 5 the node, the switch picks up every
transmission before it reaches another node.

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A Fully Switched Network A Fully Switched Network

• The switch then forwards the frame over the

appropriate segment. Since any segment
contains only a single node, the frame only
reaches the intended recipient. This allows
many conversations to occur
simultaneously on a switched network.

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Switches - Summary Routers

• Existing cabling structure and network adapters is
preserved • A router is a device that forwards data packets
• Switches can be used to segment overloaded along networks. A router is connected to at
networks least two networks, commonly two LANs or
• Switches can be used to create server farms or
implement backbones WANs or a LAN and its ISP's network.
• Technology is proven, Ethernet is a widely used • Routers are located at gateways, the places
standard where two or more networks connect, and are
• Improved efficiency and faster performance due to
low latency switching times the critical device that keeps data flowing
• Each port does not contend with other ports, each between networks and keeps the networks
having their own full bandwidth (there is no connected to the Internet.
contention like there is on Ethernet)
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 Routers Routers – As a gateway
• When data is sent between locations on one
network or from one network to a second • Typically, an organization, which connects
network the data is always seen and directed to the Internet, will install a router as the
to the correct location by the router. main gateway link between their network
• They accomplish this by using headers and and the outside world.
forwarding tables to determine the best path • By configuring the router with access lists
for forwarding the data packets, and they use (which define what protocols and what
protocols such as ICMP to communicate with hosts have access) this enforces security by
each other and configure the best route restricted (or allowing) access to either
between any two hosts. internal or external hosts.
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Routers – Works at … Routers - Summary

• Use dynamic routing
• A router works at the Network Layer or • Operate at the protocol level
higher, by looking at information embedded • Remote administration and configuration via
within the data field, like a TCP/IP address, SNMP
• Support complex networks
then forwards the frame to the appropriate
• The more filtering done, the lower the
segment upon which the destination performance
computer resides. • Provides security
• Segment networks logically
• Often provide bridge functions also
• More complex routing protocols used [such as
RIP, IGRP, OSPF]
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Brouter – Bridge-Router Brouter – Bridge-Router

• Brouters operate at both the network layer
• A Bridge Router or brouter is a network for routable protocols and at the data link
device that works as a bridge and as a layer for non-routable protocols.
router. The brouter routes packets for • As networks continue to become more
known protocols and simply forwards all complex, a mix of routable and non-
other packets as a bridge would. routable protocols has led to the need for
the combined features of bridges and
routers.

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 Gateway Questions to ponder….
• A network gateway is an internetworking system, a
system that joins two networks together. A network
• What is the difference between a hub and
gateway can be implemented completely in
software, completely in hardware, or as a switch?
combination of the two. Depending on their • What is the difference between a router and
implementation, network gateways can operate at a hub or switch?
any level of the OSI model from application
protocols to low-level signaling.
• Because a network gateway by definition appears at
the edge of a network, related functionality like
firewalling tends to be installed on the network
gateway.
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Hub and Switch? Hub and Switch?

• A switch is effectively a higher-performance • ... . Technically speaking, hubs operate using a
alternative to a hub. People tend to benefit broadcast model and switches operate using a virtual
from a switch over a hub if their home network circuit model. When four computers are connected to a
hub, for example, and two of those computers
has four or more computers, or if they want to communicate with each other, hubs simply pass
use their home network for applications that through all network traffic to each of the four
generate significant amounts of network traffic, computers. Switches, on the other hand, are capable of
like multiplayer games or heavy music file determining the destination of each individual traffic
element (such as an Ethernet frame) and selectively
sharing. In most other cases, home networkers forwarding data to the one computer that actually needs
will not notice an appreciable difference it. By generating less network traffic in delivering
between a hub and switch (hubs do cost messages, a switch performs better than a hub on busy
slightly less). networks.
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