A MAC (Media Access Control) address table, also known as a forwarding database (FDB), serves as the switch's “memory” for device locations within a Local Area Network (LAN). It is represented in hexadecimal. The switch keeps. At the heart of a switch's functionality lies the MAC address table —a critical component that enables efficient data forwarding by intelligently mapping network paths. It explains forwarding decisions at Layer 2, exposes mispatches, reveals loops and misconfigured trunks, and even helps validate segmentation. By the end, you'll understand how switches use these.