Layer 2 and Layer 3 Switches - Features and Applications

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Layer 2 and Layer 3 Switches

• Features and Applications Discussed

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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
• Presentation Layer
• Session Layer
• Transport Layer
• Network Layer
• Data Link Layer
• Physical Layer

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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.

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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 doesnt
  change.

18-Port PoE Fiber Switch (Layer 2)
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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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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