Computer Network Switching

We have already learned that Computer network is a group of connected devices. The main challenge we face in a computer network is – how to connect devices to make one to one communication possible between each devices. One thing we can do is to connect each device with every other device in the network like we do in Mesh Topology , however this approach is neither practical nor cost-efficient as most of the links in the network would remain idle. The better solution is Switching and in this guide, we will discuss how to use switching to make an efficient computer network that allows one to one communication between each devices.

In a network that utilises the switching technique, several devices are connected to the switches and switches are itself connected with the other switches. Whenever a device wants to connect with other device, switches creates a temporary connection between these devices. For example, devices “X”, “Y” & “Z” are connected with switch “I” and devices “A”, “B” & “C” are connected with switch “J”. These switches “I” & “J” are connected with each other as well. Let’s say “X” wants to communicate with “C” then the switches “I” & “J” would create a temporary line between “X” and “C”.

Advantages of Switching

1. Less Collisions: When multiple devices send data over a computer network, there are chances that data may collide with each other. Computer networks that uses switching technique have less frame collisions than the networks that don’t use switching.
2. Effective bandwidth utilization: In traditional network system links that are not in use remain idle. However in networks with switches a temporary path between sender and receiver is created by switches that allows full bandwidth utilization.
3. Performance: The overall performance of the network is better since there is less traffic.
4. Data Security: As switches ensures that a direct one to one path is established between sender and receiver, the data security is better.
5. Less burden on the individual devices on network: Since the data is sent only to the addressed receiving end device, the other individual devices on network face less burden.

Disadvantages of Switching

1. Expensive: Although the network that utilises switching technique are efficient but they are costly compared to traditional networks.
2. Hard to Troubleshoot: Such systems are harder to troubleshoot when there is an issue with the network.
3. Difficult to handle broadcast traffic: Since this system is designed to provide one to one communication between devices, it is hard to broadcast the traffic to all the connected devices.