Which devices are known for performing frame switching?

Layer 2 switches and access points are particularly known for performing frame switching. Layer 2 switches operate at the data link layer of the OSI model and use MAC addresses to forward frames within a local area network. When a frame arrives at a switch port, the switch examines the destination MAC address and dynamically builds a MAC address table. This allows the switch to forward the frame only to the intended recipient port, enhancing network efficiency and reducing unnecessary traffic.

Access points, while primarily focused on facilitating wireless communication, also involve frame switching. They connect wireless clients to a wired network and can manage the forwarding of frames between wireless devices and the wired infrastructure.

In contrast, Layer 3 switches and routers operate at the network layer and are designed to perform packet switching based on IP addresses rather than frame switching. Therefore, frame switching is fundamentally a function of Layer 2 devices like switches.