What are the main features of Layer 2 switching?

The primary features of Layer 2 switching revolve around its ability to effectively manage local area networks (LANs) through frame forwarding and VLAN (Virtual Local Area Network) support.

Layer 2 switches operate at the data link layer of the OSI model, which means their functionality is centered around making decisions based on MAC (Media Access Control) addresses. When a frame arrives at a switch, the switch examines the MAC address and consults its MAC address table to determine the appropriate port to forward the frame. This process is known as frame forwarding or switching.

In addition to frame forwarding, Layer 2 switches play a crucial role in VLAN implementation. VLANs allow network administrators to segment a single physical network into multiple logical networks. This segmentation improves network performance and security by limiting broadcast domains. By assigning ports on a switch to specific VLANs, traffic can be isolated between different departments or functions within an organization, enhancing both traffic management and security.

The other options reflect features associated with different layers of the OSI model or different types of network devices. For instance, IP address routing pertains to Layer 3 functionality, which deals with routing data between different networks, while functionalities like network address translation (NAT) and firewall capabilities are typically associated with