What term describes the process of addresses being cleared from the MAC address table after 5 minutes of inactivity?

The correct term that describes the process of addresses being cleared from the MAC address table after 5 minutes of inactivity is "aging." This aging process is crucial for maintaining an efficient MAC address table, which helps to keep the network performance optimized.

In a network environment, the MAC address table is used by switches to map layer 2 addresses (MAC addresses) to the ports on which they are located. As devices communicate and as network conditions change, it is possible that some devices may no longer be active. The aging mechanism allows the switch to remove these inactive entries after a specified time frame, typically 5 minutes by default. This helps prevent the table from becoming too cluttered with outdated information, which could lead to inefficient switching and potential network performance issues.

The other terms, while related to network processes, do not specifically define the action of removing inactive MAC addresses from the table. Flushing often refers to clearing or emptying a table or buffer completely but does not specify a timed aging process. Timeout generally refers to a situation where a connection or session is terminated after a certain period of inactivity, but it does not inherently capture the concept of MAC address management. Refreshing usually implies updating information or reloading content but does not relate directly to the