DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ROUTER & LAYER 3 SWITCH

[oratecorp]

Hi,

Can anyone pls explain me the difference between a Router & a layer 3 switch.

Also why do we require a router when layer 3 switch performs routing ? pls explain in detail...

Regds,

oratecorp

[Tsasbrink]

A multi layer switch is usualy used for lans as they are not as flexible in both soft and hardware,but usualy have mutch more performance.

A router is specificly designed to couple networks and therfore are more flexebile in configuration. And have more typesof interfaces to be able to connect to just about any tipe of medium from 2400bps modem up 10Gb.

[oratecorp]

hi,

If multi layer switch is used in only lans then we can use only layer 2 switch ... why going 2 spend so much money on layer3 switch.

Also layer 3 is for routing...so when it is used for lans why call it a layer 3 switch ?

pls clarify ?

regds,

oratecorp

[Tsasbrink]

Layer 3 is routing, this can be used to breakdown the network in smaller broadcast domains witch has both advantages abd disatvatages.

The disatvantage is speed, switching is always faster than routing.

But as networks grow larger some systems can be bothered by the broadcast / multicast level on the network therfore large networks usualy get segmented in to smaller networks.

To make this clearer you should think what would happen if the internet would be switched in stead of routed.

Your inkternet link would probably be oversubscribed by flooding traffic and you will not be able to do anything.

[srinarah]

Hi,

In addition, generally routers support serial WAN connections, and even today, economical and geopolitical conditions have a profound impact on whether fiber optic connectivity is an option for a company. Where fiber can be used, an L3 switch can often take the spot of a router.

Regards,
Srikanth

[Steven.Sanchez]

Using a layer three switch with an internal route switch module can be used for inter-VLAN routing. The allows the switch to route one switch many and take advantage of the speed of the switching fabric which is much faster than the router.

Steve

[Tod Larson]

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[saif musa]

Hi, Both router and L3-switch are same EXCEPT that L3-switch have lan interfaces more than the Router "which is L3 device also". simply, L3-switch can preform routing and switching functions while router cant preform switching functions. ( switching functions in the name of the amount of connected lan interfaces ). Regards