What is a network switch for?

[AlanAlan]

What does it do? Does it help with managing traffic when using Ethernet?

[manikyath]

its basicly a highway intersection, for networks.

 

it has signs to show where packets need to go, and sends stuff where it needs to go.

[AlanAlan]

2 hours ago, manikyath said:

its basicly a highway intersection, for networks.

 

it has signs to show where packets need to go, and sends stuff where it needs to go.

It only helps out with ethernet right not wireless? Will it improve my network consisitenticy 

[TacticlTwinkie]

3 minutes ago, AlanAlan said:

It only helps out with ethernet right not wireless? Will it improve my network consisitenticy 

It basically gives you more Ethernet ports to plug devices into. It will not help with wireless. If you are having wireless issues, perhaps a good wireless access point will help.

[manikyath]

1 minute ago, AlanAlan said:

It only helps out with ethernet right not wireless? Will it improve my network consisitenticy 

all a regular switch does is add ports.

 

so if an office has 4 ethernet ports available, but needs 7 you can add a 5-port switch to get exrta ports (you use one port to plug the switch into, the switch uses one port for uplink => 7 ports)

 

the only reason a switch would ever improve your network setup was if it replaced a hub, which is basicly a device that has up to X number of ports, and repeats everything that comes in on all other ports, instead of just the one it needs to go to.