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This article will explain in detail the difference between layer 3 switch and layer 2 switch in the computer. The editor thinks it is very practical, so I share it with you as a reference. I hope you can get something after reading this article.

Layer 3 switch is different from layer 2 switch: layer 2 switch works in data link layer, layer 3 switch works in network layer; layer 2 switch accesses based on MAC address, only forwards data, and cannot configure IP address, while layer 3 switch combines layer 2 switching technology with layer 3 forwarding function.

The difference between layer 3 switch and layer 2 switch:

Layer 2 switch operates at layer 2 (data link layer) of the OSI model, so it is called layer 2 switch.

Layer 3 switch is a switch with some router functions. the most important purpose of layer 3 switch is to speed up the data exchange within a large local area network, and its routing function is also for this purpose, which can be routed once and forwarded multiple times.

So what's the difference between layer 2 and layer 3 switches? The editor of the switch will introduce it to you.

1. Different levels of work:

The layer 2 switch works in the data link layer, and the layer 3 switch works in the network layer. Layer 3 switch not only realizes the high-speed forwarding of data packets, but also achieves the optimal network performance according to different network conditions.

2. The principle is different:

The principle of layer 2 switch is that when the switch receives a packet from a port, it will first read the source MAC address in the packet, then read the destination MAC address in the packet, and look for the corresponding port in the address table. If there is a port corresponding to the destination MAC address in the table, the packet will be copied directly to this port. The principle of layer 3 switch is relatively simple, that is, multiple switches are routed at one time, which means that source-to-destination routing is carried out for the first time, and the layer 3 switch will transfer this data to layer 2. Then next time, both destination-to-source and source-to-destination can be switched quickly.

3. Different functions:

Layer 2 switch is based on MAC address access, only does data forwarding, and can not configure IP address, while layer 3 switch combines layer 2 switching technology with layer 3 forwarding function, that is to say, layer 3 switch adds routing function on the basis of layer 2 switch, which can configure IP address of different vlan, and vlan can communicate between different vlan through layer 3 routing.

4. Different applications:

Layer 2 switches are mainly used in the network access layer and aggregation layer, while layer 3 switches are mainly used in the network core layer, but there is also a small number of layer 3 switches used in the aggregation layer. The following figure is a practical application example of layer 3 switches.

5. Different protocols are supported:

Layer 2 switches support physical layer and data link layer protocols, such as Ethernet switches and layer 2 switches. The functions of the hub HUB are similar, while layer 3 switches support physical layer, data link layer and network layer protocols.

This is the end of the article on "what's the difference between layer 3 switch and layer 2 switch in computer". I hope the above content can be helpful to you, so that you can learn more knowledge. If you think the article is good, please share it for more people to see.

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