r\nIf you plug one end of a cable into the port and the other end into a computer or other network device, the Link light should come on. Simply put, a hub doesn’t know anything about the computers that are connected to each of its ports. The added speed is helpful because each port on the distribution switch carries much more data than each port on the access switches. As a result, when a switch receives a packet intended for a particular computer, it sends the packet only to the port that the recipient is connected to.

If it doesn’t, something is wrong with the cable, the hub or switch port, or the device on the other end of the cable. r\n\r\nFor example, a stackable switch may be initially configured with just a single module that provides 48 switch ports.Distribution switches: A distribution switch is a switch that isn’t designed to directly support end users. When you daisy chain switches, you connect one end of a cable to a port on one switch and the other end to a port on the other switch.

com/programming/networking/cisco/network-basics-networking-port-overview/\">network port, the switch looks at the recipient’s address contained in the packet. Subnet mask helps to determine the class of an IP address, as it is assigned to computers, routers, or switches alongside an IP address to clarify its class or network. If a single switch doesn’t have enough ports for your entire network, you can connect switches by daisy-chaining them, as shown below. Managing a small computer network is well within your reach, but it's vital to track key information that's unique to your network.nThis key feature enables bridges to partition a large network into two smaller, more efficient networks. com/programming/networking/cisco/networking-cable-basics/\">cable to wire a network, you don’t plug the computers into each other.