Network Cabling and Switches Role in Managing the Collision Domain

When developing computer communications it was found that data moves slowly one piece at a time so a method was developed that could speed up data transfer. This is done by compressing it into chunks of data known as "packets" at one end and translating it on the other end. When sending the data through a network router, hub, or switch the data encounters a physical layer segment called the collision domain where data packets collide with each other when they are on a shared medium. An electrical connection between networked devices is called a network segment; this could be equipment wired together on the network or devices running twisted pair Ethernet cables into and out of hubs and switches. In earlier versions of the Ethernet (10BASE5 and 10BASE2) a network segment would consist of a single coaxial cable and any devices wired into it. The modern expanded definitions use the terms network segment and collision domain interchangeably, although it is possible to have multiple network segments inside a collision domain. On a coaxial cable-based Ethernet system like 10BASE2 a misbehaving device can have adverse effects on the collision domain. This will cause the competing information packets to be discarded and re-sent later one at a time, slowing or impeding operation of the network. This is why modern systems use network switches to manage and eliminate collisions that can reduce efficiency. Network switches allow separate Ethernet cables to connect into ports so that each device on the network has its own collision domain. Each connection becomes a full duplex link, meaning it can transmit both ways so that no collisions can occur. google_ad_client = "pub-2311940475806896"; /* 300x250, created 1/6/11 */ google_ad_slot = "0098904308"; google_ad_width = 300; google_ad_height = 250; A network switch is a short term for "multi-port network bridge" that transmits and processes data. A Silicon-Valley manufacturer called Kalpana invented the first Ethernet switch in 1990, the seven-port Etherswitch. Kalpana was acquired by Cisco Systems in 1994. A network switch routes and processes data at the Data Link Layer of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Model, which is a set of seven logical layers of communications functions. The Data Link Layer is the second OSI level. For background purposes here are how the other levels are laid out: layer one is the Physical Layer (PHY) where data originates as bits of media, signal, and binary transmission; these bits are collected into frames for the Data Link Layer to sort out physical addressing. The highways for networks and their data are the computer cabling systems. Ethernet cabling is part of the Physical Layer of the OSI Model. The logic of the OSI is that a layer provides service to only the layer above it, and requests service from the layer below. These protocols enable layers in one host to interact with those in a corresponding host. The data then moves to the third layer as packets to the Network Layer for path determination and physical addressing. The Transport Layer deals with flow control, reliability, and end-to-end connections. Interhost communications is carried out by the Session Layer. The Data Presentation Layer is the sixth layer and this is where encryption and decryption occurs. Finally the data reaches the Application Layer for all to enjoy.

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