How do store-and-forward Ethernet switches differ from cut-through switches?

Store-and-forward Ethernet switches indeed prioritize error detection and data integrity, which makes them more accurate in processing frames compared to cut-through switches. These switches receive the entire frame before forwarding it, allowing them to perform error-checking using methods such as CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check). If the frame is found to be corrupt, it is discarded instead of being forwarded, which minimizes the chance of errors propagating through the network.

On the other hand, cut-through switches operate by forwarding frames as soon as they read the destination address, leading to lower latency in their performance. However, this approach sacrifices reliability, since cut-through switches do not check the entire frame for errors before forwarding it. This characteristic allows them to achieve faster processing times but at the cost of potentially forwarding corrupt frames.

The distinction between these two types of switches illustrates a trade-off between speed and reliability. Hence, the statement highlighting the accuracy of store-and-forward switches and the speed of cut-through switches is a fundamental way to understand their operational principles.