What does fast-forward switching do?

Fast-forward switching is a method utilized in networking to enhance the efficiency and speed of frame transmission. The primary functionality of fast-forward switching is to immediately forward frames upon the reception of the destination address. This means that as soon as the switch identifies the destination address of a frame, it can quickly pass that frame on to the appropriate output port without waiting for any additional processing or verification steps.

This technique significantly reduces latency, making it an excellent choice for high-performance environments where timely data delivery is crucial. By bypassing the need to delay frame transmission for error checking or storing frames before forwarding, fast-forward switching optimizes the overall throughput of the network. This approach allows for a streamlined flow of data, contributing to a more efficient and responsive network infrastructure.