Characteristics of Layer 2 switching: which of the following are typically provided? (Hardware-based bridging using ASICs, wire-speed forwarding, low latency, and low cost)

Introduction / Context:
Layer 2 switches forward frames using MAC address tables and specialized hardware. Recognizing their performance traits helps in designing cost-effective, high-throughput campus networks.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Features listed: hardware-based bridging (ASICs), wire speed, low latency, and low cost compared to routers.
• Context: typical Ethernet switching platforms.

Concept / Approach:
Switches leverage ASICs to perform lookups and forwarding at line rate, minimizing per-frame processing overhead and latency. Economies of scale make basic Layer 2 devices relatively inexpensive compared to higher-layer devices.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Vendor datasheets routinely specify wire-rate performance and microsecond-level latency for ASIC-based switches.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Any subset excludes valid properties and is therefore incomplete.

Common Pitfalls:
Assuming “wire speed” regardless of oversubscription; backplane and uplink capacities still matter.

Final Answer:
All of the above