How does a switch "learn" MAC addresses?
A) All the MAC addresses must be entered manually.
B) The switch comes loaded with the most frequently used addresses.
C) The switch reads each frame and makes a note of where each MAC address came from.
D) The switch uses a mathematical formula to determine what the MAC address would be for each computer connected to it.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Switches learn MAC addresses by reading the source MAC address of each frame that enters the switch. As each frame comes in, the switch records the source MAC address and the port that the frame was received on. This process allows the switch to build a table that maps each MAC address to the port that it is connected to, enabling the switch to forward frames only to the ports that need to receive them. Options A, B and D are incorrect because they do not accurately describe the process by which a switch learns MAC addresses.

How Does a Switch "Learn" MAC Addresses