The Forward Versus Filter Decision

The Forward Versus Filter Decision

Switch pundits refer to the basic logic of how a switch forwards frames as the forward versus filter decision. Simply put, when a switch receives a frame, it sends the frame out one port, based on a comparison of the destination MAC address and the MAC address table. That is considered to be a forwarding decision. Conversely, by not sending the frame out other ports, the switch has simply filtered the frame from exiting those ports, which is a filtering decision.