On a Cisco Catalyst switch, which command displays the MAC address forward/filter table (the Layer 2 CAM table)?

Introduction / Context:
Switches maintain a Content Addressable Memory (CAM) table—often called the MAC address table—to map MAC addresses to ports for efficient forwarding. Troubleshooting Layer 2 connectivity frequently requires viewing this table.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Environment: Cisco IOS/Catalyst syntax.
• Goal: Display the learned MAC entries and associated interfaces/VLANs.

Concept / Approach:
On modern Cisco switches, the command is show mac address-table. Older platforms might use show mac-address-table, but the commonly accepted form in IOS is as shown. Other listed commands are invalid or serve different purposes.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Issuing show mac address-table dynamic displays dynamically learned entries by VLAN and port.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
show run: Shows configuration, not learned MACs.
show mac filter / show mac filter-table: Not standard IOS commands for MAC learning.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing ARP tables (Layer 3) with MAC tables (Layer 2). ARP is viewed on routers/Layer 3 SVI with show arp.

Final Answer:
show mac address-table