What Are Two Examples of the Cut-Through Switching Method? (Choose Two.)

Introduction

When studying for networking certifications such as Cisco CCNA, understanding switching methods is critical. Among the switching techniques, cut-through switching is one that frequently appears in exam questions.

If you've come across the exam prompt:
"What are two examples of the cut-through switching method? (choose two.)" — this blog post is here to help you understand and answer it confidently.

This guide by DumpsQueen Official breaks down the core concepts of cut-through switching, offers examples, explains differences from other switching methods, and even provides practice MCQs to reinforce your learning.

What Is Cut-Through Switching?

Cut-through switching is a packet-switching method used by network switches to forward data frames to the destination as soon as the destination MAC address is read, without waiting for the entire frame to be received.

This method significantly reduces latency, making it ideal for time-sensitive applications like VoIP, gaming, and streaming.

How It Works:

1. The switch receives an Ethernet frame.
2. It quickly reads the first 6 bytes, which include the destination MAC address.
3. It starts forwarding the frame to the destination port immediately.

Cut-Through Switching vs Store-and-Forward

Benefits of Cut-Through Switching

1. Low Latency
   Cut-through switching offers very low latency, suitable for real-time traffic.
2. Fast Frame Forwarding
   Because it doesn’t wait for the entire frame, the switch reacts faster.
3. Efficient for Low Error Networks
   Works best where there’s minimal chance of transmission errors.
4. Better for High-Speed Environments
   Used in data centers and enterprise-grade networks.

Types of Cut-Through Switching Methods

To answer the question — "What are two examples of the cut-through switching method? (choose two.)" — you need to know that cut-through switching includes Fragment-Free and Fast-Forward switching.

Let's break each one down:

1. Fast-Forward Switching

• Description:
  This is the purest form of cut-through switching. The switch begins forwarding the frame as soon as it reads the destination MAC address.
• Pros:
• Very low latency
• Quick decision making
• Cons:
• Doesn't check for errors (no CRC)
• Potential for forwarding corrupted frames
• Use Case:
  Useful in high-speed LANs with very low error rates.

2. Fragment-Free Switching

• Description:
  A slight variation of cut-through switching. The switch waits until 64 bytes of the frame are received before forwarding.
• Why 64 Bytes?
  Because most network collisions and errors occur within the first 64 bytes.
• Pros:
• Better error detection than fast-forward
• Still faster than store-and-forward
• Cons:
• Slightly higher latency than fast-forward
• May still forward corrupted frames beyond 64 bytes
• Use Case:
  Great for networks that balance speed and reliability.

So, What Are Two Examples of the Cut-Through Switching Method? (Choose Two.)

Correct Answer:

• Fast-Forward Switching
• Fragment-Free Switching

These two methods fall under the umbrella of cut-through switching because both begin forwarding a frame before the entire frame has been received.

Incorrect Options You Might See in Exams

It's important to identify the wrong choices you might encounter:

• ❌ Store-and-Forward Switching – Not cut-through; it waits for the full frame
• ❌ Adaptive Switching – Hybrid mode, not strictly cut-through
• ❌ Buffered Switching – Involves temporary storage; not a cut-through method

Why This Question Appears in Exams Like CCNA

Cisco and other certifications often test this topic because switching methods impact network performance, design, and troubleshooting.

Knowing which switching method to apply improves network efficiency, making it a must-know topic for aspiring network engineers.

When to Use Cut-Through Switching

Use Cut-Through When:

• You need ultra-low latency
• You are in a controlled, low-error environment
• You work in data centers or VoIP-heavy networks

Avoid It When:

• Network errors are frequent
• Frame integrity is more important than speed

Final Thoughts

Mastering questions like "What are two examples of the cut-through switching method? (choose two.)" not only helps in passing your CCNA or CompTIA exams, but also builds a strong foundation for real-world networking tasks.

At DumpsQueen Official, we focus on delivering authentic, exam-ready content and high-quality dumps to help you succeed the first time.

If you're prepping for your next networking certification, stay ahead by learning with DumpsQueen – where success meets preparation.

Sample Exam Questions with Answers

Question 1

Which of the following are examples of the cut-through switching method? (Choose two.)
A. Fast-Forward Switching
B. Store-and-Forward Switching
C. Fragment-Free Switching
D. Buffered Switching

Correct Answers: A and C

Question 2

Which switching method checks the entire frame before forwarding?
A. Fragment-Free
B. Fast-Forward
C. Store-and-Forward
D. Cut-Through

Correct Answer: C – Store-and-Forward

Question 3

Which cut-through method waits for the first 64 bytes to reduce collision risk?
A. Fast-Forward
B. Adaptive
C. Fragment-Free
D. Full Duplex

Correct Answer: C – Fragment-Free

Question 4

What is a major benefit of Fast-Forward Switching?
A. CRC error checking
B. High latency
C. Low latency
D. Packet buffering

Correct Answer: C – Low latency

Recap: Key Takeaways

• Cut-through switching starts forwarding a frame before the entire frame is received.
• The two examples of cut-through switching are:
• Fast-Forward Switching
• Fragment-Free Switching
• It’s used where speed is prioritized over frame integrity.
• Not ideal for error-prone networks but great for data centers or VoIP applications.

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