Cisco Express Forwarding

CEF is a new method of switching that available in IOS, its overcome the drawbacks of fast switching method

In IOS packet switching, There are three stages such as:

1. Receiving the packet

2. Switching the packet

3. Transmitting the packet .

Interface Controllers

Interface controllers are essential responsible for transferring packets to and from the physical media. They have their own processors, called Network Media controllers, but do not execute any switching or IOS processing operations. Interface controllers process media control operations and move packets between I/O memory and the network media. Interface controllers can be implemented as removable port modules or as components on the main system board by depending upon on the platform,.