Secondary abstract: |
A network switch is a device that connects users and providers of network services. When a user wants to see a program on the television, the switch must send him the specified program. When he wants to connect to the Internet, the switch must send him the correct IP address. Each demand that the user has, travels through the network in the form of packets. These packets are written according to the rules of standard protocols. Each packet, in which the switch recognizes the proper protocol, is sent forward to the central processing unit of the switch. Processing of these packets can lead to 100% usage of the central processing unit, which in turn leads to the loss of incoming packets.
In this paper I presented techniques for analyzing network switches, levels of OSI model on which the switch works, and ways of connecting switches to the network. I put special emphasis on describing the protocols supported by the switch and on the analysis of the performance of a switch, which has taken most of my time. Apart from the analysis, I have listed several bottlenecks in the system, and suggestions to optimize network switches. |