A) Think of a suitable title for the text.

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 403.

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A switch is something that is used to turn on or off (1) _____ electronic devices. However, in computer networking, a switch is used to connect (2) _____ computers with each other. Since it is an external device it becomes part of the hardware peripherals used in the (3) _____ of a computer system. This connection is done within an existing Local Area Network (LAN) only and is (4) _____ to an Ethernet hub in terms of appearance except with more intelligence. These switches not only receive data packets, but also have the ability to inspect them before passing them on to the next computer. That is, they can figure out the source, the contents of the data, and (5) _____ the destination as well. Because of this (6) _____, it sends the data to the relevant connected system only, thereby using less bandwidth at high performance rates.

The wires in a crossover cable are "crossed" so that output signals from the (7) _____ device are properly sent as input signals to the receiving end. An Ethernet switch can be thought of as a device that makes (8) _____ crossover cable connections between computers that want to communicate. Just like crossover cables, switches do not (9) _____ from the problem of collisions.

However, it should be noted that the (10) _____ cables used are "straight through". The crossover function is done inside of the switch.

Since (11) _____ wires are used for sending and receiving, switches support operation in full duplex mode. This mode allows devices to send and receive data at the same time.

As mentioned above, switches are (12) _____ devices that can read the data packets that pass through them. By storing the MAC address of each host and its (13) _____ port in a table, switches ensure that bandwidth is not wasted by intelligently directing traffic. Hubs are dumb devices that do not do any (14) _____.

Unlike hubs, switches are modern, fast, and support full-duplex operation. In short, they are (15) _____ better.

(By Bradley Mitchell)

(1) a) variously; b) various; c) variable.

(2) a) multiple; b) multiply; c) multiplication.

(3) a) operability; b) operate; c) operation.

(4) a) identically; b) identical; c) identification.

(5) a) identity; b) identifier; c) identify.

(6) a) uniqueness; b) unique; c) uniquely.

(7) a) transmitting; b) transmitted; c) transmission.

(8) a) temporarily; b) temporariness; c) temporary.

(9) a) suffered; b) suffer; c) suffering.

(10) a) actually; b) actuality; c) actual.

(11) a) separately; b) separator; c) separate.

(12) a) intelligent; b) intelligence; c) intelligently.

(13) a) correspondence; b) correspondent; c) corresponding.

(14) a) processing; b) process; c) procession.

(15) a) most; b) more; c) much.