Information, Computer and Network Security Terms Glossary and Dictionary

Switch CAM Table Overflow

The CAM table in a switch contains information such as the MAC addresses available on a given physical port of a switch, as well as the associated VLAN parameters. When a Layer 2 switch receives a frame, the switch looks in the CAM table for the destination MAC address. If an entry exists for the MAC address in the CAM table, the switch forwards the frame to the port designated in the CAM table for that MAC address. If the MAC address does not exist in the CAM table, the switch forwards the frame out every port on the switch, effectively acting like a hub. If a response is seen, the switch updates the CAM table.

Related Terms

Switch CAM Table Overflow