A broadcast domain is a smaller piece of a computer network, with boundaries defined by routers and other higher layer devices. Computers connected to the same switch or repeater are part of a broadcast domain. Computers connected to a set of interconnected switches and repeaters are also part of a broadcast domain.

In a broadcast domain, each computer can communicate directly with another computer. A switch acts as a buffer and checks data packets, or frames sent between computers. Only when a broadcast frame is sent do all computers on the broadcast domain receive the frame, otherwise the switch sends the frames to the receiving computer only.

Network terms

  • How to set up a home network.
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