On 3/1/21 7:23 AM, Neil Cherry wrote:
I took a course on networking (having worked in networking for about 20 years at that point) and the course described switching hubs as routing packets. I went a bit nuts on the professor for the double whammie (it was on a test).
The guy did that to you on a test?! Wow what a dick.
Yep. Someone who doesn't know any better could be forgiven for thinking that switches "route" packets to the appropriate port,
Switches switch frames. I couldn't bare to bring myself to replace switch with "route". Not after arguing with a CCIE about OSPF exchanging routing information.
There's a fine line between terminological correctness and "accepted usage". The weird thing (well, weird to me I guess, but I suppose it makes sense) is that the latter eventually turns into the former!
At least he got up to ARP correct.
Well that's something.
which they do. But, we draw a distinction between routing and switching, because they happen at different layers of the dip.
Just like someone could be forgiven for thinking "broadband" is "bandwidth that is broad" and thus has something to do with transmission speed.
But, in my lifelong study of becoming the absolute best a**hole that a man can be, I forgive neither. ;)
Routers route packets (L3), although they can switch packets now, which is a bit disconcerting but technical correct.
Switches switch frames (L2).
Frames contain packets.
Yup. Unless you're working with raw Ethernet, not in the context of IP or even the seven-layer reference model, and datasheets for Ethernet MAC ICs frequently refer to frames as packets. So, definition depends on context...making it even worse.
Let's skip vlans for now. they just make my brain ache more. ;-)
VLANs sure are nice, though.
When talking* (hehe) network engineering, being this pedantic is a requirement.
* - Sorry, about the poor English. It was meant as humor. But many of engineering discussions bordered on text book bad English while arguing about correct terminology.
True, but speaking only for myself, I really only care about engineering. :) -Dave -- Dave McGuire, AK4HZ New Kensington, PA