An Ethernet switch can learn the address
of each device on the network by:
- reading the source address of each
packet transmitted
- noting the port where the frame was
heard
The switch then adds this information
to its forwarding database. Addresses are learned dynamically. This
means that as new addresses are read they are learned and stored in
content addressable memory (CAM) for future use.
Each time an address is stored it is
time stamped. This allows for addresses to be stored for a set period
of time. Each time an address is referenced or found in the CAM, it
receives a new time stamp. Addresses that are not referenced during a set period of time are removed from the
list to maintain an accurate and functional forwarding database.
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