MicroNet Technology Micronet EtherFast 10/100Mbps Switch SP616R - Manual (Page 12)

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Switching is a cost-effective way of increasing the total network
capacity available to users on a local area network. A switch
increases capacity and decreases network loading by dividing a
local area network into different segments. Each segment has its
own bandwidth and it does not compete with others for network
transmission capacity.
A switch acts as a high-speed selective bridge between the
individual segments. The switch forwards traffic from origin
segment to destination segment, without interfering with any other
segments. By doing this, the total network capacity is multiplied,
while still maintaining the same network cabling and adapter cards.
For Fast Ethernet networks, a switch is an effective way of
eliminating problems of uplinking Fast Ethernet 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. The switch supports both traditional 10Mbps
Ethernet and 100Mbps Fast Ethernet, which is also ideal for
bridging between the existing 10Mbps networks and the new
100Mbps networks.
LAN Switching technology is a marked improvement over the
previous generation of network bridges, which were criticized by
their higher latencies. Routers have also been used to segment
local area networks. But, the router expensive, difficult to setup,
and maintenance intensive, these make it relatively impractical for