In every introductory class we teach we get students who are either puzzled about router essentials or switching essentials or both. This switching essentials white paper will give you the basics that will make learning about network switching a little less painless when you sit in a course like ICND1, ICND2, CCNA Boot Camp or BCMSN.

Switching is an interesting topic. It could be an easy thing in your network, or it could be something that keeps you up nights. Switching can be simple, allowing us to connect our users from various systems (host systems and phones), or it can be a complicated system with various advanced topics.

In this white paper, we will address the basics of this Layer 2 technology and help you get your switch up and running. For our examples, we will use Cisco's 2950 switch.