Which Layer 2 switch type reads the first 64 bytes of a frame and then forwards it to the destination interface?

The correct response highlights the functionality of the fragmentation-free switch, which is designed to enhance the efficiency of data transmission across a network. This type of switch processes the first 64 bytes of a frame, which typically includes the header and the critical information needed to make a forwarding decision. By reading only this portion of the frame, fragment-free switches minimize latency, as they avoid waiting to receive the entire frame before forwarding it.

This characteristic is particularly useful in scenarios where the initial part of the frame is sufficient to determine whether the frame is likely to be valid, thus speeding up the process of data transmission in busy networks where reducing delay is crucial. Fragment-free switches strike a balance between cut-through and store-and-forward technologies by aiming to provide lower latency while also minimizing the risk of forwarding frames that might contain errors, as longer frames may be more likely to encounter issues when traversing the network.

In contrast, other options do not possess this specific capability. Cut-through switches begin forwarding the frame as soon as the destination address is read, while store-and-forward switches wait for the entire frame to be received and checked for errors before forwarding. Multi-layer switches, on the other hand, combine the functionalities of Layer 2 and Layer 3 devices, but they do