1. Builds routing information
with other Layer 3
switches and router
Open Shortest Path First
(OSPF)
Routing Information
Protocol (RIP)
Creates collision domains and buffers each
packet before switching it
Hardware – ASIC is a dedicated chip to
perform functions and is found in high-end
equipment.
Software – computer processor & software
to perform functions and is found in
general purpose equipment
Ruby Carrasco Oliver Karr Chanon Luke
Green River College IT 410
3Com  ADTRAN Netvanta Internetworking  Allied Telesis  AMER NETWORKS  Amped Wireless
Approved Optics  Aruba Networks  Avaya  B+B SmartWorx  Black Box  Brocade
CiscoCompaqCOMTRENDComtrolCPTech/LevelOneCPTechnologiesD-LinkDellEcomEdgecoreNetworksEnGenius
EnterasysNetworksExtremeNetworkExtremeNetworksGenericHPNetworking3COMIBMiwNetworksJuniperNetworksLeadoffLenovo
Linksys  Mikrotik  Netgear  Nortel  Original Equipment Manufacture  Perle  Planet  Premiertek  SMC  Sonicwall  Supermicro  TP-LINK  Transition Networks  TRENDnet  Ubiquiti Networks
Collision
Domain
Router
Next Right
No WAN
OSI Model
 A network device that forwards traffic based
on Layer 3 information at very high speeds
 Extremely similar to a router
 Layer 3 has optimized hardware to pass data
as fast as Layer 2 switches and make
decisions similar to a Router for transmitting
traffic at Layer 3
 Has the ability to reprogram the hardware
dynamically with the current Layer 3 routing
information which allows for faster packet
processing
 Operates at the OSI Network Layer
Performance vs. Cost – Layer 3 switch is more cost
effective than a high performance router for
delivering high-speed inter-VLAN routing
Port density - has more ports available than a router
with 24+ ports like a layer 2 switch
Flexibility – A large infrastructure can mix and
match Layer 2 and 3 switches. A Layer 3 can
configure to operate as Layer 2 switch and
offload processing resources from the routers
VLAN
20
VLAN
99
REFERENCE
http://www.pcmag.com/
encyclopedia/term/459
57/layer-3-switch
REFERENCE
http://searchnetworking
.techtarget.com/tip/Lay
er-3-switches-
explained
REFERENCE
http://www.ciscopress.
com/articles/article.asp
?p=102093
IF YOU ANSWERED
YES!
THEN CHECK OUT
THESE VENDORS
Does your infrastructure have a lot of
broadcasts that need better
performance?
Does each department have their own
collision domain?
Do you have subnets connected via a
router?
Do you have or plan to
implement VLANs?
Do you need high
performing VLANs?
BENEFITS
VLAN
10