what is the function of a layer 2 switch?

Answer 1

Layer 2 switches are frequently installed in the enterprise for high-speed connectivity between end stations at the data link layer. Layer 2 switches bridging technology has been around since the 1980s (and maybe even earlier). Bridging involves segmentation of local-area networks (LANs) at the Layer 2 level. A multiport bridge typically learns about the Media Access Control (MAC) addresses on each of its ports and transparently passes MAC frames destined to those ports. These bridges also ensure that frames destined for MAC addresses that lie on the same port as the originating station are not forwarded to the other ports.