A CAM (Content Addressable Memory) table is a critical component to the operation of an Ethernet network switch. Ethernet switches connect multiple computers on a single network, in the same way that hubs or other network devices do. However, unlike other network devices, a switch contains a CAM table. The CAM table allows information routed through the switch to be directed to a single computer on the network, rather than to all computers on the network. This increases the specificity of the information traveling over the network, at the cost of greater vulnerability to hacking attempts of the network system.
Camera tables are useful for keeping data private on networks.
It is useful to think of a CAM table as a broker or traffic controller. It sits between connected computers and all data moving through the network, directing information as needed to specific recipients. Without a CAM table, any information transmitted through the network switch would be sent simultaneously to all computers connected to the network. On many types of networks, this would present a serious privacy issue; imagine a banking network where each terminal had access to all the information flowing through the system: people’s passwords and account information would be visible to all users. With the CAM table installed, data travels exclusively to the intended recipient’s computer, avoiding these privacy issues. /p>
CAM tables work by using the Media Access Control (MAC) addresses of computers connected to the network. Think of it like voicemail numbers. When information is sent over the network, it comes with a specific MAC address in mind. The CAM table takes the information, sorts it by MAC number, and sends it to the desired computer.
While CAM tables are useful for maintaining data privacy within networks, the presence of a CAM table can increase the threat of vulnerability of the network to external attack. Hackers exploit the limited memory capacity of CAM tables to expose and intercept information moving across the network. Networks using CAM tables must be aware of this threat.
CAM tables can only store a limited number of addresses for specific MAC ports. Hackers attack the network by flooding the CAM tables with too much MAC address information. Once the table overflows with data, it starts acting like a hub: ignoring privacy and sending data to all ports simultaneously. Once this occurs, hackers can intercept the data on the network; it becomes visible to all connected computers. In addition to compromising data on the network, this also degrades network performance, leaving the network slow to crawl until the problem is resolved.
