Easy Switching Techniques used by Cisco Switches

Switching Methods of Cisco Switches

            Switching methods are the techniques used by switches to forward frames after their reception, with respect to how much of the frame has been received and error checking. There are mainly three techniques used in Cisco Switches, which are;

 

1) Store & Forward:  In this method complete frame is received by the switch. CRC, source address and destination address are checked. This method has following features:-

• Highest latency (delay in forwarding of frame) but may vary depending upon the length of frame.

• Highest error checking.

• Lowest frame forwarding speed.

Catalyst 500 switch uses this method.

2) Cut Through:  In this method forwarding starts as soon as destination address of the frame is received in header. Also known as WIRE SPEED. This method has following features:-

• Lowest latency.

• Lowest error checking.

• Highest frame forwarding speed.

3) Fragment Free (Modified Cut Through):  In this method forwarding starts as soon as first 64 bytes of the frame are received as fragmentation occurs usually in first 64 bytes. This method has following features:-

• Latency approx 60 Sec.

• Sufficient error checking.

• Moderate frame forwarding speed.