Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of jskfan
jskfanFlag for Cyprus

asked on

Host Mac address in multiple switches CAM table

Host Mac address in multiple switches CAM table

I would like to know if a MAC address of a computer or Router that is connected to Switch1 will be also found in CAM table of Switch2 , Switch3 ,etc... assuming all switches are connected to each other.

Thank you
Avatar of David Johnson, CD
David Johnson, CD
Flag of Canada image

Yes but only if there has been communication. It will not be the same on each switch

i.e.
computer 1 | switch1-port 1 | switch 2-port20 | computer 2

switch 1 will have computer 1 and switch 2 mac address
switch 2 will have switch 1 and computer 2 mac address

switch 1 will not have computer 2 mac address it will use switch 2 mac adddress
Yes, the mac addresses are maintained throughout the  network all the way to the router that holds the arp cache.
Avatar of noci
noci

@david:

[computer1]<--->[port1-switch1-port48]<--->[port24-switch2-port20]<---->[computer2]

    switch 1 will have the computer2 macaddress  with reference/forwarding port = port48 (where it was seen from)
    switch 2 will have the computer2 macaddress with reference/forwarding port = port20

likewise:
    switch 1 will see computer1 on port1 and
    switch 2 will see computer1 on port24.
Avatar of jskfan

ASKER

Thank you Guys..

For the Mac Address of a host1 in  CAM table of SwitchA to exist  in CAM Table of SwitchN ,  does this happen automatically the first time Host1 is plugged to a port on SwitchA,  OR Host1 at somepoint needs to communicate with another Host on SwitchN  in order to have SwitchN register the Mac address of Host1
Thanks
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Avatar of noci
noci

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
Avatar of jskfan

ASKER

Thank you