Final answer:
Switches store frames received to prevent premature frame discarding during network congestion, intelligently managing data transmission based on MAC addresses. Unlike hubs and repeaters, switches handle data at the frame level within a LAN.
Step-by-step explanation:
Devices that store frames received to prevent premature frame discarding when network congestion occurs are known as switches. When a switch receives a frame, it uses its internal tables to determine the correct destination port for that frame and holds onto the frame until the path is clear for transmission. This intelligent forwarding of data based on MAC addresses reduces collision domains and helps to manage network congestion. In contrast, hubs and repeaters simply amplify and broadcast signals to all ports, without any form of frame storage or intelligent data management. Routers, which operate at a higher network layer, also store frames but are responsible for determining the best path for packets across entire networks, rather than managing frame storage for congestion control within a local area network (LAN).