Commonly known as L2/L3 device or multi-layer switch (L2 = Ethernet, L3 = IP). To simply put it, an L3 switch is a combination of an Ethernet switch and IP router.

What is L2 and L3 in networking?

Commonly known as L2/L3 device or multi-layer switch (L2 = Ethernet, L3 = IP). To simply put it, an L3 switch is a combination of an Ethernet switch and IP router.

What is the difference between Layer 2 and layer 3?

The Layer 2 protocol you’re likely most familiar with is Ethernet. Devices in an Ethernet network are identified by a MAC (media access control) address, which is generally hardcoded to a particular device and doesn’t normally change. Layer 3 is the network layer and its protocol is the Internet Protocol or IP.

What is Layer 2 networking?

Layer2 is the network layer used to transfer data between adjacent network nodes in a wide area network or between nodes on the same local area network. A frame is a protocol data unit, the smallest unit of bits on a Layer 2 network.

What is Layer 2 and layer3?

The layer 2 and Layer 3 differs mainly in the routing function. A Layer 2 switch works with MAC addresses only and does not care about IP address or any items of higher layers. Layer 3 switch, or multilayer switch, can do all the job of a layer 2 switch and additional static routing and dynamic routing as well.

What layer is FTP?

application layer protocol
FTP is an application layer protocol that is used for transferring both text and binary files over the Internet.

What layer is DNS?

application level
We know what DNS is, but what about the DNS layer? At a high level, the DNS protocol operates (using OSI model terminology) at the application level, also known as Layer 7. This layer is shared by HTTP, POP3, SMTP, and a host of other protocols used to communicate across an IP network.

Can a layer 3 switch replace a router?

Although both Layer 3 switches and routers have routing functions, they cannot be equated. The router not only has routing functions, but also provides additional functions of switch ports and hardware firewalls. The purpose of the router is to make the device more applicable and more practical.

Is Ethernet a Layer 2 or 3?

Ethernet, Token Ring, and Frame Relay are all examples of Data Link layer or Layer 2 protocols. Traditional Ethernet switches operate at the Data Link layer and are con- cerned with forwarding packets based on the Layer 2 addressing scheme.

What is L3 layer 3?

Layer 3 functionality is supported in most core switches and many edge switches. Using L3 for scalability allows administrators to limit L2 domains to small islands that will not require L2MP.

What is the link layer of a network?

The link layer corresponds to the OSI data link layer and may include similar functions as the physical layer, as well as some protocols of the OSI’s network layer. These comparisons are based on the original seven-layer protocol model as defined in ISO 7498, rather than refinements in the internal organization of the network layer.

What is the difference between L2 and L3 for scalability?

Using L3 for scalability allows administrators to limit L2 domains to small islands that will not require L2MP. As noted above, vMotion is limited to L2. Cisco Nexus 7000, Nexus 5548/5596 (earlier Nexus 5000 series switches are L2 only) and Nexus 3000 switches support L2/L3.

Which Cisco switches support L2/L3 switches?

Cisco Nexus 7000, Nexus 5548/5596 (earlier Nexus 5000 series switches are L2 only) and Nexus 3000 switches support L2/L3. Juniper QFX3500 supports L2/L3.