GE-800 Gigabit Copper Switch
User Guide
3
•Ethernet Switching Technology
Ethernet Switching Technology dramatically boosted the total bandwidth of a
network, eliminated congestion problems inherent with Carrier Sense multiple
access with Collision Detection ( CSMA/CD ) protocol, and greatly reduced
unnecessary transmissions.
This revolutionized networking. First, by allowing two-way, simultaneous
transmissions over the same port ( Full-duplex ), which essentially doubled
the bandwidth. Second, by reducing the collision domain to a single
switch-port, which eliminated the need for carrier sensing. Third, by using the
store-and-forward technology’s approach of inspecting each packet to intercept
corrupt or redundant data, switching eliminated unnecessary transmission that
slow the network. By employing address-learning, which replaced the ineffi cient
receiving port.
Auto-negotiation regulates the speed and duplex of each port, based on the
capability of both devices. Flow-control allows transmission from a 100Mbps
node to a 10Mbps node without loss of data. Auto-negotiation and fl ow-control
may require disablement for some networking operations involves legacy
equipment. Disabling the auto-negotiation is accomplished by fi xing the speed or
duplex of a port.
Ethernet Switching Technology supplied higher performance at costs lower than
other solutions. Wider bandwidth, no congestion, and the reduction in traffi c
is why switching is replacing expensive routers and ineffi cient hubs as the
ultimate networking solution. Switching brought a whole new way of thinking to
networking.
