How does Ethernet frame switching operate on a bridge/switch?
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Correct answer: forwards frames for known destinations out the learned port.
Why this is the answer
Ethernet frame switching operates by building a MAC address table. When a frame arrives, the switch examines the source MAC address and records it, along with the incoming port, in its table. If the destination MAC address is found in the table, the switch forwards the frame only out the specific port associated with that destination. This is efficient because it prevents unnecessary flooding. If the destination MAC is unknown, the switch floods the frame out all ports except the one it arrived on. Rewriting MAC addresses is not a function of a standard Layer 2 switch; that's typically done by routers or NAT devices. CDP (Cisco Discovery Protocol) is used for device discovery, not for forwarding frames. Frame switching is enabled by default on all interfaces and VLANs on a switch.
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