According to its usage, which category do virtual switches belong to?

Virtual switches are typically categorized as aggregation switches within networking architecture. Their primary function is to facilitate the communication between multiple virtual machines (VMs) on the same host or across different hosts by managing the flow of network traffic. Aggregation switches are positioned between access switches and core switches, ensuring that data from various terminals can be gathered and transmitted efficiently to the core network or to other segments.

In the context of virtualized environments, virtual switches aggregate the network connections from numerous VMs, allowing for scalability and efficient resource utilization. By serving as a central point for networking among multiple VMs, virtual switches enable enhanced performance and management capabilities within cloud computing infrastructures.

The other categories—access switches and core switches—serve different roles. Access switches typically connect end-user devices to the network while core switches manage the data flow across the network backbone. Thus, identifying virtual switches as aggregation switches aligns with their role in managing and transferring data effectively between VMs and into the broader network.