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As an IT professional, you have to be familiar with the switch layer 3 vs layer 2 differences for efficient network management. In this article, we'll explain the differences between these two kinds of desktop switches and how they can impact your network performance.
What is a Layer 2 Switch?
A layer 2 switch is a device that forwards and filters Ethernet frames based on MAC addresses. These switches are considered to be the most basic type of switch, but they're also used in many larger networks because they're easy to set up and manage. Layer 2 switches are ideal for small business and home networks because they allow you to connect multiple devices with a single cable run, making it easier for you to expand your network as needed without having to worry about running out of ports or cabling infrastructure.
What is a Layer 3 Switch?
A layer 3 switch is a network device that can perform routing and filtering functions. It's sometimes called a multilayer switch because it can route packets between different VLANs (virtual local area networks).
A layer 3 switch can be used as a router, firewall, and VPN concentrator. A router routes packets between networks while maintaining tables of where each host resides on those networks; firewalls filter traffic based on rules you set up; VPN concentrators allow remote users access over an encrypted tunnel into your network. Layer 3 switches can be used to create virtual local area networks (VLANs) and to set up port channels. They are also used to connect multiple VLANs.
Switch layer 3 vs layer 2 Key Differences:
1. A layer 2 switch is designed to perform Layer 2 functions, while a layer 3 switch performs both Layer 2 and Layer 3 functions (routing).
2. Layer 2 switches are less expensive and more efficient than layer 3 switches. They also have a lower learning time, which means they can be configured faster and easier.
3. Layer 2 switches are also more secure because they operate at the data link layer (Layer 2), where MAC addresses are used to identify nodes on the network. This means that each device on your network has its unique address--and therefore cannot impersonate another node's identity or access resources that aren't meant for it. In contrast, layer 3 devices use IP addresses for identification purposes; this makes them less secure because anyone can spoof an IP address if they know how to do so (and many hackers do).
4. A layer 2 switch is used to switch data between ports, while a layer 3 switch routes data between ports.
5. Layer 2 switches are cheaper and easier to configure than layer 3 switches. They're also better for small networks with fewer devices.
Layer 3 switches are more powerful than layer 2 ones because they can route traffic between two networks or subnets without having to use an external router (which would be a waste of resources). This makes them ideal for large-scale networks with many devices that need fast routing capabilities or high throughputs (like video streaming).
Points to Keep in Mind:
Apart from the key switch layer 3 vs layer 2 differences, it should be noted that a layer 2 switch can only perform a few functions. Layer 2 switches are not able to route packets, meaning they are limited to forwarding packets based on MAC addresses. This means the switch will only forward traffic to other devices on its local network segment--and not across other segments or through routers. Layer 2 switches also don't support NAT (Network Address Translation) or port forwarding (a service that allows you to open up ports in your firewall for specific applications).
Layer 2 switches are also called bridging or LAN switches. They don't know what port a packet is coming from or going to. Layer 2 switches only know about the MAC addresses of the stations connected to their ports, and forward packets based on those MAC addresses. In contrast, a layer 3 switch can be deployed when the network becomes complex, and more efficient and secure switching is needed. The main difference between these two types of switches is that they use different forwarding methods for packets when forwarding them from one port to another on the same device or across devices in your network.
Conclusion
If you're looking to make your network more efficient and secure, consider upgrading to a layer 3 switch. Layer 3 switches can perform more advanced functions than layer 2 switches, such as routing and NAT. Layer 3 switches also support VLANs and ACLs which are essential for security in large networks. I hope this article has helped you understand the switch layer 3 vs layer 2 differences. If you're looking to make your network more efficient and secure, consider upgrading to a layer 3 switch.
Fixed 10G Up L3 Switch
Fixed 10G Up L2 Switch
Metal Casing
Ceiling AP
NAC Software
Modular Switch
10G Fixed Switch
Wall-Mount AP
Core-side Optical Transceivers
Wi-Fi 5
Wi-Fi 6
EG1500 Series
Wi-Fi 7 Router
Wi-Fi 5 Extender
Wi-Fi 4 Extender
Wi-Fi 4 Router
Service Center
Connect
Try searching our site
Ruijie Networks websites use cookies to deliver and improve the website experience.
See our cookie policy for further details on how we use cookies and how to change your cookie settings.
Cookie Manager
When you visit any website, the website will store or retrieve the information on your browser. This process is mostly in the form of cookies. Such information may involve your personal information, preferences or equipment, and is mainly used to enable the website to provide services in accordance with your expectations. Such information usually does not directly identify your personal information, but it can provide you with a more personalized network experience. We fully respect your privacy, so you can choose not to allow certain types of cookies. You only need to click on the names of different cookie categories to learn more and change the default settings. However, blocking certain types of cookies may affect your website experience and the services we can provide you.
Through this type of cookie, we can count website visits and traffic sources in order to evaluate and improve the performance of our website. This type of cookie can also help us understand the popularity of the page and the activity of visitors on the site. All information collected by such cookies will be aggregated to ensure the anonymity of the information. If you do not allow such cookies, we will have no way of knowing when you visited our website, and we will not be able to monitor website performance.
This type of cookie is necessary for the normal operation of the website and cannot be turned off in our system. Usually, they are only set for the actions you do, which are equivalent to service requests, such as setting your privacy preferences, logging in, or filling out forms. You can set your browser to block or remind you of such cookies, but certain functions of the website will not be available. Such cookies do not store any personally identifiable information.
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