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Switch

In plain terms

A device connecting devices within a local network.

Going deeper

A switch forwards data only to the specific device it's destined for within a LAN, using MAC addresses for efficient local delivery. It links devices on the same network.

Under the hood

Operates at layer 2 (some at layer 3), learning MAC-to-port mappings; smarter than a simple hub.

Examples

LANs, connecting computers, data-center networking, VLANs.

Think of it like...

Like an office mailroom delivering each memo straight to the right desk, not every desk.

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