Final answer:
A switch collects the MAC address from messages crossing its interfaces to know where to send data in future transmissions.
Step-by-step explanation:
A switch collects the MAC address from messages crossing its interfaces to determine where to send data in future transmissions. The MAC address is a unique identifier that is assigned to the network interface card of each device on a network.
Unlike a hub, which broadcasts incoming messages to all ports, a switch uses the MAC address to direct messages specifically to the destination computer, improving network efficiency.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is b. MAC address.