What is the switch in programming?
Hey Helen
A switch, operating at the data link layer, intelligently forwards data packets to the specific device they are intended for based on their MAC addresses. Unlike a hub, a switch reduces network congestion and enhances security by ensuring that data only reaches the designated recipients. It maintains a MAC address table to keep track of which devices are connected to its ports, enabling efficient and direct communication within the network. Through this targeted data forwarding, switches significantly improve network performance and reliability, making them a preferred choice in modern networking environments.