You're looking to get a better understanding of network switching. How can you get started?

To get started with network switching: ? ?????????? ?????? ????????????: Understand the core concepts of network switching, such as packet forwarding, filtering, and MAC address learning. ? ?????????? ?????????????? ???????????? ??????????: Explore different types of switches (e.g., managed vs. unmanaged, layer 2 vs. layer 3). ? ?????????????? ??????????????????: Familiarize yourself with protocols like DHCP for dynamic IP addressing and NAT for translating private IP addresses. ? ??????????-???? ????????????????: Use simulation tools like Packet Tracer or GNS3 to create virtual networks and practice configuring switches. By combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience, you can effectively understand network switching.

First of all, you need to understand the basics of network switching. These can be classified as; packet forwarding, packet filtering and the learning of MAC addresses. A switch can be located in one of a variety of different layers, depending on the topology you wish to deploy. They can be deployed in the network core layer, which usually requires high-end switches to handle high-performance packet switching. They can be deployed in the distribution layer (or the aggregation layer in data centre topologies), or they can be deployed at the access layer. Switches learn the topology by exchanging BPDU's (Bridge Protocol Data Units), which helps to build a switch topology. Packets can be permitted, blocked or discarded.

It enables devices to communicate by directing data packets along the most efficient paths from source to destination. Switches forward packets only to the intended recipients, reducing network congestion and improving bandwidth utilization compared to traditional hub-based networks. Understanding network switching involves learning about different types of switches, such as Ethernet switches and layer 3 switches, as well as their functions, configurations, and protocols like VLANs and Spanning Tree Protocol (STP). Getting started typically involves studying networking fundamentals, exploring switch configurations, and gaining hands-on experience through lab exercises and simulations

High-performance switching of packets is important, because you need data to be switched between different networks segments (LANs or VLANs) in order to exchange data between those segments. Switches can use Spanning Tree to not only take the most efficient path to the destination, but to prevent loops in your network. Switches are an integral part of a majority of Local Area Networks, and provide manageability, scalability and flexibility. Devices can be removed or added with ease, and switched environments can be easily administered and monitored, both on-prem and remotely. VLANs help to reduce broadcast and unicast traffic by segmenting your network into manageable portions.

The choice of the network switch mainly depends on the purpose. For a corporate office, one has to consider the number of users , uplinks ( copper or fiber) and need for L3 routing. For a data center, there are multiple parameters: 1. Number of ports 2. 1G or 10 G ports. Nowadays copper also supports 10G on nexus switches. 3. For a low latency network like high frequency trading platform, you may consider arista switches. 4. What other capabilities you may need depending on the design. VXLAN, OTV?

When choosing switches, give consideration to where they will sit in your network, as this will define the actual platform you deploy in a given layer. For example, you will need high-performance switches in your core layer, high to medium performance switches in your distribution or aggregation layer, and potentially high to medium performance switches at the access layer, depending on whether you configure Layer 3 at the access layer. Choose smaller switches for small to medium sites, and larger switches for larger sites. Think about the number of users, devices, etc. at a given site when deciding which platform(s) to deploy. Also consider whether wireless will be required (it probably will), which will affect your topology.

Firstly choose a suitable location for your switch, near an appropriate power outlet, preferably in a comms rack. Ensure that the switch is within recommended cabling distances for fibre, copper, or both in order to be able to connect to a router/modem. Connect the required devices using Ethernet cabling. Remember if you have a layered switching topology, you will need uplinks between the switch layers, and uplinks to your edge WAN devices. One thing to consider if you need to avoid or minimise downtime is to deploy dual or more switches and deploy dual or more uplinks to ensure that one path is available should the primary path fail. Also consider deploying switches with multiple power supplies and connect them to separate power phases.

You can configure your switches using different methods, and configurations can be applied either manually, which is time-consuming and error-prone, or they can be applied automatically, by using automation and programmability tools. Basic requirements when configuring switches are; an IP address, a hostname, and your username and password to be able to log in. If you are manually configuring a switch, then you will access the command line interface (CLI) to manually enter the required commands. You can also use automation tools, such as DNA Centre, to configure switches. Other basic configuration items are; VLANs, port speeds, access lists, route maps, prefix lists and QoS. And don't forget to secure your Console port and VTY lines.

To get started with switching; Do a lab and familairise with switching capabilities. Simulators like eve-ng, packet tracer, boston simulator and GNS3 are available for labs and simulation. NB. HANDS ON IS THE BEST WAY TO LEARN SWITCHING. Explore and Understand; > Switching history from low speed ethernet to 1000+ gbps port speeds > Switching technology history - broadcasts, multicasts, MAC, STP, VLAN, VTP, MacSec, Tags, encapsulation, L3 support, VSS, VPC, Etherchannel, DHCP, DNS, Stackwise, 802.1q... > Switching port density from small 5 port to 256+ ports, and port breakouts > Proper switch utility, access, aggreggation, Datacenter, Core etc > Connection media fixed ethernet, fibre modules > Contemporary switching tech like SDAccess