Switch network architectures

Switch architectures are part of layer 2 of the OSI reference model. The packet delay and jitter through switch networks (for example, Ethernet) can be minimized, if they provide switching and full-duplex operation. Packet sequence integrity can be maintained by preventing any loops in the switch network architecture, or by using the Spanning Tree Algorithm in Ethernet networks. Elimination of topological loops in a switch network prevents packets replication as well. By controlling the traffic load in the network, packet loss can be minimized.