Exclusive Ethernet Communication Paths | Generated by AI
Question: In switched Ethernet, multiple pairs of hosts can communicate simultaneously, and each pair of communicating hosts can (__) the transmission medium, achieving collision-free data transmission. Please explain the answer in English.
Answer: The correct answer to fill in the blank is “exclusively occupy” (or “dedicate”; in Chinese: 独占).
Explanation of Switched Ethernet
In traditional Shared Ethernet (using hubs), all devices belong to the same collision domain. This means only one device can send data at a time; if two try to speak at once, a collision occurs.
Switched Ethernet changed the game by using a Network Switch. Here is why the answer is “exclusively occupy”:
- Micro-segmentation: A switch creates a dedicated electrical path between the sender and the receiver. When Host A talks to Host B, the switch “points” them to each other, creating a private lane.
- Point-to-Point Links: Because each port on a switch is its own collision domain, the pair of hosts essentially has the full bandwidth of that specific link to themselves. They do not have to compete with Host C or Host D.
- Full-Duplex Communication: Modern switched networks allow for simultaneous sending and receiving. Since the medium is “exclusively” used by that pair for that specific session, data packets do not collide with others.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Shared Ethernet (Hub) | Switched Ethernet (Switch) |
|---|---|---|
| Medium Usage | Shared by all | Exclusively occupied by the pair |
| Collisions | Common (CSMA/CD required) | Collision-free |
| Efficiency | Low (Total bandwidth shared) | High (Each pair gets full speed) |
Would you like me to explain how the switch’s MAC address table facilitates these “exclusive” connections?