Layer 2 Switching

Layer 2 switching refers to the process used by network switches to manage data traffic within a local area network (LAN). It operates at the Data Link layer of the OSI model, using MAC (Media Access Control) addresses to forward data between devices. When a switch receives a data packet, it checks the MAC address and sends the information only to the intended recipient device, reducing unnecessary traffic. This improves network efficiency and speed by ensuring that data goes directly to the correct destination, rather than broadcasting it to all devices on the network.