CCNA Semester1

Module 8 Ethernet Switching

Objectives

Define bridging and switching. Explain Spanning-Tree Protocol (STP). Collision domains and broadcast domains Data flow and network segmentation

Ethernet Switching

Segmentation

Layer 2 Bridging
When a frame comes, bridge check the source address with the MAC table
If there was a mapping between the source address and the receiving port, then ignores Else, update MAC table with the source address and the receiving port

Bridge check the destination address with the MAC table

If the destination address is in the MAC table, then forward the frame to the associated port If the destination address is unknown, multicast or broadcast, then forward the frame to all other ports except the receiving port.

Layer 2 Switching
Rather than creating two collision domains, each port creates its own collision domain (micro-segmentation). A switch dynamically builds and maintains a Content-Addressable Memory (CAM) table, holding all of the necessary MAC information for each port.

Switch CAM Table

Operations that might have been done in software as in bridge can now be done in hardware using an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Switch benefits
Provide micro-segmentation Double bandwidth between nodes Collision-free transmission Two 10- or 100- Mbps data path Allow multiple circuits simultanously

Latency
Latency is the delay between the time a frame first starts to leave the source device and the time the first part of the frame reaches its destination. Factors that cause delay are: Media delays. Circuit delays. Software delays. Delays caused by the content of the frame and where in the frame switching decisions can be made.

Switching methods
Store-and-forward:
The entire frame is received before forward. Increases latency with larger frames. Error detection is high. Immediately forward a packet after checking the destination address. No error checking Offers the lowest level of latency Forwards a packet after receiving the first 64 bytes. Filters out collision packets (size < 64 bytes)

Cut-through:

Fragment-free switching:

Forwarding Decision

Switch Mode
With cut-through methods of switching, both the source port and destination port must be operating at the same bit rate in order to keep the frame intact. This is called synchronous switching. If the bit rates are not the same, the frame must be stored at one bit rate before it is sent out at the other bit rate. This is known as asynchronous switching. Storeand-forward mode must be used for asynchronous switching.

Switching modes

Switching Loop

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When multiple switches are designed with redundant paths to provide for reliability and fault tolerance in a simple hierarchical tree, switching loops are unlikely to occur.

Spanning-Tree Protocol
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Standby Link

Main function of the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is to allow redundant switched/bridged paths without suffering the effects of loops in the network

Spanning Tree Protocol

A switch sends special messages called bridge protocol data units (BPDUs) out all its ports to let other switches know of its existence. The switches use a spanning-tree algorithm (STA) to resolve and shut down the redundant paths

Collision Domains and Broadcast Domains

Shared Media Environments

It is important to be able to identify a shared media environment, because collisions only occur in a shared environment. Some networks are directly connected and all hosts share Layer 1

Collisions in collision domain

Collision Domain Segmentation

The types of devices that interconnect the media segments define collision domains.

Round-Trip Delay
The 5-4-3-2-1 rule also provides guidelines to keep roundtrip delay time in a shared network within acceptable limits.

Segmenting a collision domain with bridge

Segmentation increases the opportunity for each host in the network to gain access to the media. This effectively reduces the chance of collisions and increases available bandwidth for every host.

Broadcasts in Bridged Environment

Layer 2 devices forward broadcast and if excessive, can reduce the efficiency of the entire LAN. Broadcasts must be controlled at Layer 3, as Layer 2 and Layer 1 devices cannot.

Router
Routers actually work at Layers 1, 2, and 3. A router (layer 3 device) solves the problem of too much broadcast traffic. It is Layer 3 that allows the router to segment broadcast domains or network.

Broadcast Domain Segmentation

Data Flows

Summary
Layer 2 bridging and switching Content-addressable memory (CAM) Switching methods Spanning-Tree Protocol (STP) Collisions, broadcasts, collision domains, and broadcast domains Layer 1, 2, and 3 devices with collision domains and broadcast domains Data flow