Basics of bridges and switches. Build a home network. What is smart in smart network switches? How Svitch works

The issues of building local networks are represented by non-specialist users are very complex due to an extensive terminological dictionary. Habs and switches are drawn in the imagination with complex equipment resembling telephone PBXs, and the creation of a local home network becomes a reason for accessing specialists. In fact, the Svitch is not so worried as its name: both devices are elementary network nodes that have minimal functionality that do not require installation and operational knowledge and quite accessible to everyone.

Definition

Hub - Network hub, designed to combine computers to a single local network by connecting Ethernet cables.

Svitche (Switch - Switch) - a network switch designed to combine into a local network of multiple computers via an Ethernet interface.

Comparison

As we see from the definition, the difference between the hub and the switch is associated with the type of devices: a hub and switch. Despite one task - the organization of the local network via Ethernet is to solve it in different ways. The hub is the simplest splitter, providing a direct connection between network clients. Svitch - more "smart" device that distribute data packets between clients in accordance with the request.

Hub, receiving a signal from one node, transmits it to all connected devices, and the receipt of the whole depends on the destination: the computer must recognize, whether it is designed for a package. Naturally, the answer implies the same scheme. The signal comes in all segments of the network until it finds the one that will accept it. This circumstance reduces network bandwidth (and data exchange rate, respectively). Svitch, receiving a data packet from a computer, directs it according to the address that was set by the sender, eliminating the network from the load. The network, organized by the switch, is considered more secure: the exchange of traffic takes place directly between the two clients, and others cannot process the signal, designed not to them. Unlike a hub, the switch provides a high bandwidth of the created network.

Hub Logitec LAN-SW / PS

The switch requires proper configuration of the client's computer network card: the IP address and subnet mask must match each other (the subnet mask specifies the part of the IP address as the network address, and the other part is as the client addresses). Hub settings does not require, because it works on the physical level of the OSI network model, translating the signal. The switch works at the channel level, carrying out the exchange of data packets. Another feature of the hub is the adjustment of nodes with respect to the transfer rate, focusing on the lowest indicators.

Switch Compex PS2208B.

Conclusions Site

1. Hub - hub, switch - switch.
2. Hub device is the simplest, switch - more "intellectual".
3. The hub transmits a signal to all network clients, switch - only addressee.
4. The network performance organized through the switch is higher.
5. Svortch provides a higher level of data security.
6. The hub works on the physical level of the OSI network model, the switch on the channel.
7. The switch requires the correct setup of network client network cards.

The choice of the router to be used is determined by the Ethernet interfaces that match the switches in the LAN center. It is important to note that routers offer a variety of services and functions for LAN.

Each LAN has a router used as a gateway to connect LAN with other networks. LAN has one or more hubs or switches to connect the end devices with LAN.

Routers are the main devices used to connect networks. Each port on the router is connected to a different network and sends packets between networks. Routers can smoke broadcast domains and domains of collisions.

Routers are also used to connect networks that use different technologies. They may have LAN, and WAN interfaces.

LAN interfaces routers allow them to connect to LAN media. Usually, UTP cable connections, but modules can be added to use fiber optics . Depending on the series or model of routers, they can have several types of interfaces for WAN and LAN cable connections.

Devices intraseni.

To create a LAN, we must select the appropriate devices to connect the end nodes with the network. The two most common devices used are hubs and switches.

Concentrator

The hub receives a signal, regenerates it and sends to all ports. The use of hubs creates a logical bus. This means that LAN uses a media media mode. The ports use the bandwidth sharing approach, which often leads to a decrease in performance in LAN due to collisions and recovery. Although you can connect several hubs, the only collision domain will still remain.

Hubs are less expensive than switches. The hub is usually selected as an intermediary device for a very small LAN, which has low capacity requirements, or with limited finance.

Switch

The switch takes the frame and regenerates each frame of the frame to the appropriate destination port. This device is used to segmented the network into several collision domains. Unlike the hub, the switch reduces the number of conflicts in the LAN. Each port on the switch creates a separate domain of collisions. This creates a dot-point logical topology for the device on each port. In addition, the switch provides a highlighted bandwidth on each port, which can increase the LAN performance. The LAN switch can also be used to connect network segments with different speeds.

In general, switches are selected to connect devices to LAN. Although the switch is more expensive than the hub, its improved performance and reliability make it cost-effective.

There is a whole range of available switches with multiple functions that allow you to connect a plurality of computers to a typical installation of the LAN enterprise.

To create a local or home network, special devices are needed. From this article you will learn a little about them. I will try to explain as simple as possible to understand everyone.

Purpose .

Hub (Hub), Svitch (Switch) and Router (Router) are designed to create a network between computers. Of course, this network will also function.

Difference .

What is hub (hub)

Hub is a repeater. All that is connected to it - will be repeated. On the hub is given alone and therefore everything is connected.
For example, you connected 5 computers through a hub. To convey data from the fifth computer to the first, this data will pass through all computers on the network. It looks like a parallel phone - access to your data can get any computer and you are the same. Due to this, the load and distribution also increases. Accordingly, the more computers are connected, the slower will be the connection and more load on the network. That is why in our time there are less and less hubs and enjoy less. Soon completely disappear.

What is SWITCH (Switch)?

Svitch came to change Habu and corrects the flaws of the predecessor. Each connected to the Sweat has its own separate IP address. This very much reduces the load on the network and each computer will receive only what he needs and others do not recognize. But Switch has a drawback associated with dignity. The fact is that if you want to divide the network to more than 2 computers, then you will need more IP addresses. It usually depends on the provider, and it usually gives only one IP address.

What is a router (Router)?

Router - it is often also called the router. Why? Yes, because it is a link between two different networks and transmits data based on a specific route indicated in its routing table. If you are very simple, the router is an intermediary between your network and Internet access. The router corrects all the mistakes of the precursors and that is why in our time it is most popular. Especially when considering the fact that often the routers are provided with Wi Fi antennas for transmitting the Internet to wireless devices, as well as the ability to connect USB modems.

The router can be used as separately: PC -\u003e Router -\u003e Internet and together with other devices: PC -\u003e Switch / Hub -\u003e Router -\u003e Internet.

Another advantage of the router is its simple installation. Often you only require minimal knowledge to connect, configure the network and log in.

So. Let's bring some results.

All these devices are needed to create a network. Hub and Svortch are not particularly different from each other. Router - the most necessary and convenient solution for creating the network.

This chapter presents technologies working in devices that are inaccurately called bridge (Bridge) and switches (Switch). The themes that are summarized here include the generalized principles of operation of channel devices, local and remote bridges, ATM switching and local networks. The subsequent chapters of part 4, "bridges and switches", this book are devoted to the specifics of these technologies in more detail.

What are bridges and switches?

Bridges and switches are data communication devices that work fundamentally at the level of 2 reference OSI model. As such, they generally belong to channel-level devices.

Bridges have become commercially available in the early 1980s. At the time of their introduction, the bridges were connected and allowed to send packets between homogeneous networks. In more recent times, the guidance of bridges between different networks was also defined and standardized.

Some types of bridges have become important as intersev devices. Transparent Bridges (Transparent Bridge) found primarily in the Ethernet environment, while premarch Bridges (Source-Route Bridge) Appear first in the marker ring (Token Ring). Translational Bridge (Translational Bridge) Provide broadcast between formats and principles of transit of various types of medium (usually token Ring and Ethernet). Finally, transparent Bridges with Premarstion (Source-Route Transparent Bridge) Combine algorithms for transparent and premacted bridges to make possible communication in mixed Ethernet / token Ring environments.

To date, the switching technology appeared as an evolutionary successor of intersetical solutions based on bridges. The use of switches is now dominant in applications where bridges were used in the early network development of the network. Excellent throughput performance, high density ports, less cost in terms of one port and great flexibility contributed to the appearance of switches, as replacing technology for bridges and additions to routing technology.

Review of channel level devices

Switches and bridges operate on a channel level that manages the data stream, processes the transmission errors, provides physical (in opposition to logical) addressing and manages access to the physical environment. Bridges provide these functions by using various channel protocols that dictate specific flow control, error processing, addressing and access algorithms. Examples of popular channel protocols include Ethernet, Token Ring and FDDI.

Bridges and switches are not complex devices. They analyze the input frames, make decisions on the shipment based on information that is contained in these frames and ship these personnel on their intended purpose. In some cases, such as premarch bridges, the entire path to the destination is contained in each frame. In other cases, such as transparent bridges, frames are sent as appointed in stages.

Transparency in relation to protocols is the first priority of both bridges and switches. Since both types of devices are operated on the channel level, they do not need to check the highest level information. This means that they can quickly send a data stream representing any network protocol. For a bridge is not unusual to move AppleTalk, DECNET, TCP / IP, XNS data, and other protocols between two or more networks.

Bridges are able to filter frames based on levels of level 2. Bridge, for example, can be programmed to discard (do not forward) all frames emanating from a single-paced network. Since channel-level information often includes a link to top-level protocol, bridges are usually filtered by this parameter. Moreover, the filters can help in the analysis of unwanted broadcasting packages (Broadcast) and group (Multicast) broadcast.

By dividing large networks on self-sufficient blocks, bridges and switches provide certain advantages. As only a certain percentage of data flow, the bridge or switch reduces the stream obtained by devices in all connected segments. Bridge or switch will work firewall for some potentially destructive network errors, and both of them provide communications between a large number of devices, rather than can be supported by one local network connected to the bridge. Bridges and switches expand the effective length of the local network, allowing the connection of remote stations that did not allow to attach the distance.

Although bridges and switches share most of the characteristic features, some features are distinguished by these technologies. Switches work much faster because they switch hardware, while bridges commute programmatically, and can also connect local networks with an unequal bandwidth. For example, with a switch, local networks of 10- and 100 megabit Ethernet can be connected. Switches also support large port density than bridges. Some switches support the truncated (Cut-Through) switching, which reduces the retardation and delay in the network, while the bridges support only the forwarding (Store-and-Forward) switching. Finally, switches reduce collisions in network segments, because they provide the allocated bandwidth to each network segment.

Types of bridges

Bridges can be grouped by categories based on a variety of product characteristics. Using one popular classification scheme, bridges are either lANeither remote. Local Bridges provide a direct connection between multiple local network segments on the same site. Remote Bridges connect multiple local network segments on various venues, usually through telecommunication lines.

Connecting the Internet in an apartment or a private house always causes many questions. To begin with, we choose the Internet provider, if there is something to choose from. After we look after the tariffs, and already try to find out how the switch differs from the router.

Equipment

Both devices relate to they are designed to function computer networks. These include not only the switch and router, but also a hub, patch panel, etc. Any can be attributed to one of the groups: active or passive. It is necessary to understand what the difference between them.

Active

These devices are built on electronic circuits that receive electrical power. Such equipment is designed to gain and convert the signal. The main characteristic is the use of special algorithms for processing. What does it mean?

The Internet network works with batch files. Each such kit has its own technical parameters: This includes materials about its sources, purposes, data integrity, etc. These indicators make it possible to transfer packets at the desired address.

The active device does not simply find the signal, but processes these technical parameters. It sends them by streams in accordance with embedded algorithms. Such skill and gives the device to be called this.

Passive

This group does not get the necessary power from the electrical network. Works with distribution and reduction of signal levels. Such devices can safely include cables, plug and socket, balun, patch panel. Some here are attributed to telecommunication cabinets, cable trays, etc.

Variety

Since the network is active mainly due to the first group of devices, we talk about it and talk. This can include ten devices of different types. For example, a network adapter, which is located in the computer itself. Network equipment of this type is now found in all PC and helps to connect to the LAN.

This is also worth attributed to the repeater. The device has two ports and works with a duplication of signals. Thus, it helps to increase the size of the network segment. The hub is also an active equipment that is sometimes called a hub. It functions with 4-32 channels and serves to interact all participants on the network.

Well, finally, we got to the question of what the switch differs from the router. Although besides them, there is still a repeater, a media converter, a bridge and a network transceiver.

Router

So, let's start with this device. The people are simply called the router. It serves to send packets between different network segments. At the same time, it is guided by the rules and routing tables. The device connects networks with different architectures. To correctly make a process, it studies typology, defines the rules that the administrator asked.

To deal with the question of what the switch differs from the router, it is important to understand the principles of operation of one and second device. So, the router to start exploring the information about the recipient: watching its address and the name of the set. Then goes into and identifies the path to transfer files. If there are no necessary information in the tables, the data packets are reset.

Sometimes, other methods can be used to choose the desired path. For example, the sender's address, upper level protocols and all data that are hidden behind the name set is studied.

Routers interact with address translation, filter transit streams according to registered rules, encrypt or decrypt the transmitted files.

Switch

Network switch or switch is a device that interacts with connecting multiple PC network nodes. The whole process does not go beyond several or one part of the network.

This equipment also refers to a group of active. It functions at the OSI channel level. Since the initially switch was configured to work with bridge parameters, it can be considered as a multi-section bridge. To combine several lines on the network level, use the router just.

The switch is not authorized over the distribution of traffic from one gadget to the rest. It transmits information only to the right person. The process has good performance and ensures the security of the Internet network.

The operation of the switch is to save the switching table and, using it, identify compliance between MAC addresses. When the equipment is connected, the table is empty and filled as the apparatus itself.

Files that fall on one of the ports are immediately sent over other channels. The device begins to explore frames and after determining the sender's addresses temporarily brings information to the archive. When the port receives a frame, the address of which is already recorded, it will be transferred by the path that is specified in the configuration.

Difference

How does the switch differ from the router? At first glance, it is definitely worth saying that in the principles of work, the main differences between these devices are taken. There is a fairly interesting analogy that easily explains the difference.

Suppose we have a corporation mail server. An employee sent a file that should get to the recipient through an internal or local delivery system. In this case, the Switch is a mail server, and the router is local.

What we have? The switch does not analyze the content of the mail and its type. It stores a list of all employees of the company, addresses of their offices. Therefore, its main task is to send the mail to a specific addressee.

In this entire history, the router operates a postman for the delivery of information to people who work outside the company. It checks the contents and can independently change the rules of delivery if some additional information is found in the letter.

The lack of a router compared to the switcher lies in difficult and costly administration. Specialists who work with this equipment should own a huge number of parameters. In this case, the configuration must be consistent with another configuration on the network.

conclusions

Most companies are trying to upgrade their network, so they change outdated equipment on the switch between routers and networks. New devices help improve performance, and their outdated "colleagues" continue to work on security.

Setting up the router and switch is not easy. It is better not to climb the usual user here. When configuring the home network, specialists come, which set this equipment and adjust it in parallel. This process is difficult. It is individual for each provider and a specific network.

If some failures are happening, then you need to access the Internet provider, because if problems with the setting have occurred, then without it you cannot cope.