Layer 2 and Layer 3 Switches - Features and Applications

LAYER 2 AND LAYER 3 SWITCHES FEATURES AND APPLICATIONS DISCUSSED

INTRODUCTION  Industrial Network Switches are used to connect different devices in a network. These switches form the basis of

several high speed data networks.  The Open System Interconnect (OSI) model operates on seven layers:

Application Layer



Application Layer



Presentation Layer



Session Layer

Session Layer



Transport Layer

Transport Layer



Network Layer



Data Link Layer



Physical Layer

Presentation Layer

Network Layer Data Link Layer Physical Layer

INTRODUCTION TO LAYER 2 AND LAYER 3 SWITCHES

 The layer 2 managed switch operates on the data link layer and it is one of the key

requirements for any high speed network.  The layer 3 switch operates on the network layer. If the converged networks grow in

size and density, the demand for Layer 3 Switches also increases.  This article explores these two switch types, their typical features, and their

applications in modern data networks.

INTRODUCTION TO LAYER 2 SWITCHES –  The working of Layer 2 Switches is based on layer 2 of OSI Model which acts as a bridge to

interconnect networks on its MAC layer.  They build tables for transferring the frames among networks  The most familiar Layer 2 Protocol is Ethernet. The Layer 2 Ethernet Switches are faster as compared

to routers.  The devices connected in the Ethernet Network possess MAC Address, which generally doesn’t

change.

18-Port PoE Fiber Switch (Layer 2)

FEATURES OF LAYER 2 SWITCHES –  In LAN Networks, Layer 2 switches can transport data easily and rapidly between the client and the

host.  These switches identify the MAC address of the destination node from the address table given in the

switch.  The data frames are arranged on the basis of this MAC address.  The switch splits highly dense and bulky LAN networks into various small VLAN networks.  These multiple VLANs make switching easier in a large LAN network.  To remove the bridging loops, switches and bridges communicate with each other using the STP.

APPLICATIONS OF LAYER 2 SWITCHES –



Layer 2 smart switches help in improving internal communications within an organization.

 These switches are used to configure the hosts on the same LAN, which reduces the need for

Internet connection.  With the help of Layer 2 Switches software companies can put their servers centrally at one

particular location. The clients can access the data easily without latency, thus save the server cost and time.  Software professionals also use these switches for keeping and sharing their tools at one location.

ADVANTAGES OF LAYER 2 SWITCHES –

 Improved security and low latency  Low cost is incurred for installation of these switches  It helps to forward packets based on MAC address  L2 switches flow accounting capabilities

INTRODUCTION TO LAYER 3 SWITCHES  Layer 3 Switches use IP addresses and subnetting for routing data packets to the destination.  These Layer 3 Switches work as the 3rd layer in the OSI reference model.  Layer 3 switches have faster switching speed than layer 2 switches.  IP addresses of the devices change regularly as they are generated dynamically.  The most common example of these switches are Routers.  These switches route the data frames from the host to the client by following the IP addresses of the

client device.

FEATURES OF LAYER 3 SWITCHES –

 While transferring data between multiple VLANs, these switches perform static and dynamic routing.  This dynamic routing enables switches to optimize packet routing.  Multiple paths are offered to the switch in real time.  The switch can choose the most effective path for delivering these data packets.  Layer 3 switches are becoming a popular choice for applications where data security is highly

important.

APPLICATIONS OF LAYER 3 SWITCHES –  These switches are commonly used in the fast growing campuses, organizations, as well as data

centers, where high density networking is involved.  Layer 2 and Layer 3 switches can accommodate any number of users if used in combination. The

combination becomes an ideal choice for the fast-growing enterprises, where high speed networks are implemented.  They can support bandwidth-hungry end-user applications and resources.  Layer 3 switches are used in several high density WANs comprising overloaded routers. In such

networks, each individual switch is configured with a main router.  The layer 3 switches can single handedly manage traffic controlling and routing in LANs utilizing

bandwidth hungry devices.

ADVANTAGES OF LAYER 3 SWITCHES –

 Provides ease of security management  It improves fault isolation  Lower Network Latency  Configuration process becomes easy for VLANs  Separate routing tables helps in segregating traffic better  Offers high-speed scalability

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LAYER 2 AND LAYER 3 SWITCHES Layer 2 Switch

Layer 3 Switch

Operates on Layer 2 of OSI Model

Operates on layer 3 of OSI model

Send frames to destination using MAC address.

It routes packet with help of IP Address

It works with MAC Address only

Can preform functions of both the switches

This switch is used to lower the traffic on local network

It is mostly used to implement VLAN

These are High-Speed data packets

Takes time to examine data packets

Single broadcast domain

Multiple broadcast domain

It can communicate within a network only

It can communicated within or outside network

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