Can someone define what is meant by "switch fabric " and " Data forwarding rate /packet filtering rate " of a switch ?. Are there are web sites explaining these terms in detail ? for e.g With a 24Gbps switching fabric and forwarding rate in excess of 17 million packets per second.......... More details below : http://www.dlink.co.in/dlink/Products/Switches/dgs3212sr.htm Thanks in advance. skamat

Switch fabric is a physical layout of wires, interconnecting components. The layout is complex, integrated, and precise (somewhat like a fabric). It's often associated with packet-based interconnects of somekind, but it can more generally refer to any type of bus. Data forwarding rate usually means the theoretical bitrate peak or the most bandwidth you could ever possibly expect but will never actually reach (hence "theoretical"). Packet forwarding rate is more practical, including packet overhead in the calculation. I usually read both as being maximum and therefore theoretical, but without clear calculation you might take them as averages. They probably are peak measurements though. So for your example, the D-Link switch probably provides you a generous figure.

Oh Thanks anonproxy. However , I need some more clarity on this. Is there any web site which I can refer to for more explanations ?

I've never come across one. They're more engineering terms and lingo for a subset of professionals.