Difference B/W Layer 3 Switch & Multi Layer Switch?

[Senthil Rajendra]

Dear All,

           Is there any difference between Layer 3 switch and Multi Layer Switch?..My friend told that Layer 3 switch can perform Multi Layer Switch but Multi Layer switch cant perform Layer 3 Switch task..Is it Correct?

Please give any clear idea on this?

Thnks in advance

Senthil

[Ganesh Hariharan · Accepted solution]

Dear All,
          
Is there any difference between Layer 3 switch and Multi Layer
Switch?..My friend told that Layer 3 switch can perform Multi Layer
Switch but Multi Layer switch cant perform Layer 3 Switch task..Is it
Correct?
Please give any clear idea on this?
Thnks in advance
Senthil

Hi Senthil,

The generic widely used term multilayer switch means a switch that can do layer 2 and/or layer 3 switching on the same platform. This definition is used interchangeably with layer 3.However, multilayer switch is also used to describe switches which can make decisions on informnation in layer 4-7 as well.

Switches That forward  frames based on Layer 3 and 4 information contained in packets. This is known as multilayer switching (MLS).

A multilayer switch can have ports configured as layer 2 or layer 3. And is capable of routing packets between networks (VLANs).  A layer 3 switch is basically a router (albilty to have ery fast and with a bunch of ports).

layer 3 means its capable of routing between vlans and able to join eigrp, rip and things. you can make any of the ports on the switch a routed port. this means you can use a layer3 switch exclusively as a router if you wanted to.

Hope to help !!

Ganesh.H

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[Senthil Rajendra]

Dear Ganesh,

Thanks for your reply to this post..Can we perform Layer 4-7 information in  Layer 3 Switch?(Little bit doubt)

Tks&Rgds

Senthil

[Ganesh Hariharan]

Dear Ganesh,
Thanks for your reply to this post..Can we perform Layer 4-7 information in  Layer 3 Switch?(Little bit doubt)
Tks&Rgds
Senthil

Hi Senthil,

As i Already told you Layer 3 switches is a high-performance device for network routing,The hardware inside a Layer 3 switch merges that of traditional switches and routers, replacing some of a router's software logic with hardware to offer better performance in some situations.

Some switches can use up to OSI layer 7 packet information; they are called layer 4-7 switches, content-switches, content services switches, web-switches or application-switches.

Hope to Help !!

Ganesh.H

[vvasisth]

I completly agree with what ganesh said. It actually depends on the switch you have and it varies b/w different models.

regards,

Varun