Enterasys Networks Fast Network 10 - Manual (Page 17)

Overview
Fast Network 10 User Guide Page 1-7
Media Access Control (MAC) sub-layer of the Data Link layer.
Figure 1-3 shows the OSI Reference Model.
Figure 1-3 OSI Reference Model
Because the FN10 does not process any Network Layer information, it
provides a high level of performance in terms of packet throughput. In
addition, the FN10 does not need to learn network topology, requiring less
programming and configuration time.
1.5.1.1 Store and Forward Switching
As an intelligent Ethernet switch, the FN10 uses full store and forward
switching. Store and forward switching allows the FN10 to temporarily
store packets until network resources, typically an unused link, are
available for forwarding. This allows for complete error checking, and
limits the amount of time between when a device requests access to the
network and when it is granted permission to transmit. In addition, full
store and forward switching ensures data integrity, thus preventing
network error conditions from being generated throughout the network.
1.5.1.2 Discarding Local Traffic
The FN10 checks all incoming packets for their destination address
against the Bridge Address Table. If a packet’s destination address is not
on the same network segment as the originating packet, the FN10
6 Presentation
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Application
Session
Transport
Network
Data Link
Physical
FN10 operates at Layer 2