I'm doing networking exercises, I have a question, a switch has mac addresses in each port? If so, what are they used for?
I'm doing networking exercises, I have a question, a switch has mac addresses in each port? If so, what are they used for?
On a switch, the device has its own MAC address, but depending on the switch, it will have an address for each port.
In fact, for the switch to work basically does not need a MAC address in each port and should not use a learning from the source of the packets, this case applies to the simplest switches.
Regarding the switches that have an address for each port is because they perform a more complex operation than simply redirecting packets, this type of switches can perform several types of control, such as VLANS annunciation, negotiation of channels or discovery of other switches. You can also telnet or pings to these switches.
I do not know if you understand English but you can look at this link where they ask something similar.