There are a few things wrong with that description. First, switches and/or bridges are layer two devices and wouldn't be aware of different IP subnets in the first place. A switch or bridge will forward a frame out all ports except the originating port if it has not yet learned the correct port for the destination. It has nothing to do with subnets whatsoever.
A switch is nothing more than a marketing term for a bridge on steroids. From a layer two perspective there is no difference in their operation. This entire thread seems analagous to arguing that a square is not a rectangle. I can see it now... " Originally all we had were rectangles but when we offered a slightly different rectangle we decided to call it a square to differentiate it from the previous rectangles. However, it's still a rectangle when you get right down to it." >>> "Kevin Jones" 5/22/02 12:58:37 PM >>> I was under the impression that, while a switch is often termed a multiport bridge, there is one fundamental difference in the way the two devices forward frames. While my source is not always the most credible or reliable (Course Technology Networks Plus book), it does cause me to stop and think for a minute. Anyway, the difference (as described in the book) is as follows: If a multiport bridge determines (based on the destination MAC address) that the destination node is on another subnet, it will broadcast the frame out all ports except the originating port. A switch, on the other hand, is smart enough to only forward the frame out the destination port. Both devices handle unknown frames and broadcasts the same way, ie. they will forward the packets out all ports except the one the frame was received on. Any thoughts? Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=44741&t=44649 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
