A switch is a network device which transfers data only to the host where it is being addressed. This article gives the information about the advantages and disadvantages of a switch to know more details about it.
Advantages of a switch :
- It can make use CAM table for a port to MAP mapping
- It helps in logical segmentation by supporting VLANs
- The number of broadcast domains gets decreases
- Support centralized management
- They help in reducing the workload on individual host PCs
- Permit multiple simultaneous conversations
- Fairer than connection based technology
- Switch interconnected individual node and also controlled access to media
- Switches can be connected directly to work station
- A network which uses switch will have fewer frame collisions
- They increase the available bandwidth of the network
Disadvantages of a switch :
- High cost
- Failure of switch bridge down the network
- When we use a switch, a network connectivity problem can be difficult to trace through a switch
- Broadcast traffic may be troublesome
- While uses a limited broadcast, they are not as good as routers
- Proper design and most important configuration is needed in order to handle multicast packets
- If a switch is in promiscuous, they are vulnerable to security attacks
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