What is an Internet switch?

An internet switch, often referred to as a network switch, is a device that connects multiple devices within a local area network (LAN), allowing them to communicate efficiently. It operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model, using MAC addresses to forward data only to the intended recipient rather than broadcasting it to all connected devices. This helps reduce network congestion and improves overall performance. Switches can be managed or unmanaged, with managed switches offering additional features like traffic management and monitoring.