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For Fast Ethernet networks, a switch is an effective
way of eliminating problems of chaining hubs beyond
the “two-repeater limit.” A switch can be used to split
parts of the network into different collision domains,
making it possible to expand your Fast Ethernet
network beyond the 205-meter network diameter limit
for 100BASE-TX networks. Switches supporting both
traditional 10Mbps Ethernet and 100Mbps Fast
Ethernet are also ideal for bridging between the
existing 10Mbps networks and the new 100Mbps
networks.
Switching LAN technology is a marked improvement
over the previous generation of network bridges,
which were characterized by higher latencies. Routers
have also been used to segment local area networks,
but the cost of a router, the setup and maintenance
required make routers relatively impractical. Today
switches are an ideal solution to most kinds of local
area network congestion problems.
