Network switches

Coding Quill — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 17:03:11 +0000

What’s a network switch ?

A switch is a device used in computer networks to connect multiple devices together within a single local area network (LAN). Its main role is to facilitate communication between different connected devices, such as computers, printers, servers, IP phones, etc.

It is a mini-computer which is made up of RAM, ROM, flash RAM, NVRAM, a microprocessor, connectivity ports and even an operating system.

RAM

RAM (Random Access Memory) contains the current configuration of the switch and temporarily stores the MAC address table, which is then processed by the microprocessor.

Microprocessor
The microprocessor is the heart of the switch, responsible for data processing, including switching and creating links between multiple devices.
External memories
External memories, such as flash RAM, ROM, and NVRAM (Non-Volatile RAM), store configuration files , different versions of the IOS , etc …
Ports
The switch ports are the communication interfaces of the switch. There are several of them, generally 24 for a Cisco switch. Each port is associated with an LED which indicates its status and activity.

How does it work ?

Now how does a switch work to transfer information from one machine to another?

Suppose we have 4 machines: A, B, C and D connected to our switch in ports 1, 2, 3 and 4 as follows:

The switch only works with MAC addresses , so basically we have an empty MAC address table stored in RAM as soon as the switch starts up which looks like this :

Transmitting data from machine A to machine B happens in the following steps:

Machine A sends a frame to machine B
Once this frame arrives at port 1 (which is the one linked to A), the switch reads the source MAC address and stores it in the MAC address table
The switch reads the destination MAC address and looks for it in the table, if it is not in the table, it broadcasts to all the active machines connected to the switch except the source one.
If the port linked to the machine we want is active, it sends a response frame from which the switch reads the MAC address we were looking for (@B)
Once done, it records the MAC address of B in the table.

This process repeats until the switch reaches what is called “MAC address table stability”, that is to say it knows all the MAC addresses of the connected machines and has no more need to broadcast.

Why is landing an Internship as a Computer science student so hard ?

Coding Quill — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 16:52:37 +0000

Is it really hard to land an internship as a computer science student? The answer is yes, and as a computer engineering student myself, I can attest to this.

I’ve often wondered why it’s so difficult. After some observations, I discovered that almost every computer science student’s resume looks the same. The portfolios are nearly identical, lacking uniqueness. If you’ve studied at the same school as your friends,what would make a recruiter choose you over them?

This is where uniqueness and a sense of self come in. Your portfolio or website should reflect exactly who you are as a person and highlight your strengths.

The second crucial factor is dedication. I’ve had classmates who are extremely dedicated. They might not have any special skills, but they show immense interest in what they want to do. This drive is palpable, and recruiters can sense it too.

Sometimes, the resume isn’t even the most important aspect. For big companies like Oracle, what you say and know during the interview and technical tests matters more. The resume is just the very first step.

So, what I’ve learned along the way can be summed up in two words:

uniqueness and dedication.

Now how to Create the Perfect Resume to Land an Internship as a Student ?

Keep the design simple:

Avoid extra designs or too many colors. While uniqueness is important, recruiters generally do not favor overly designed resumes.

Structure your resume properly:

The Resume Header

Contact Information: Full name and title , phone number , address ( City and State ) , LinkedIn or other professional social media , any portfolios or computer engineering-related sites.

The Resume Summary

A paragraph where you describe yourself by answering these questions:

What is your professional style? (Use one or two descriptive words such as patient, critical thinker, consensus builder, excellent designer.)
What is your greatest engineering strength?
What will you add to this particular team?
What is your process for building and maintaining computer networks?
What are you proudest of in your career?

The Employment History Section

Be specific about how you contributed to each position and the impact you made.

List the job title, organization name, dates of employment, and 3–6 bullet points showcasing your achievements.

If you have no experience, include a projects section. This will act as your experience. Highlight how you worked on each project and your passion for it.

The Skills Section

Combine hard and soft skills. The skills section is often the first place recruiters look to ensure you have the key abilities they’re seeking. Your entire resume should support the skills you list here.

The Education and Certifications Section

List your education, including any relevant courses or special achievements during your degree. Also, mention any certifications you have, whether from freeCodeCamp, Google, Coursera, etc.

Good luck with your internship search, and remember to stay true to yourself!

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