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How to Identify between Layer 2 and Layer 3 Switch based on Configuration

firesec
Level 1
Level 1

How to Identify between Layer 2 and Layer 3 Switch based on Configuration File content?

Based on initial analysis of the configuration, I found that - 

L3 switch –

  1. Has route-map configuration
  2. Has router details
  3. No switchport (can be mentioned while configuring EtherChannels)
  4. IP routing tag only present in core switch

the above mentioned is not present in L2 configs. 

 

Also how to determine from a configuration file, whether it is of a core switch or not? 

2 Replies 2

Dennis Mink
VIP Alumni
VIP Alumni

you cant really determine from congifuration if something is a core switch or not. typically 6500s (were) in the core and now Nexus switches, typical are vPC;s, FEX ports, port channels and lots of SVis.

 

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Joseph W. Doherty
Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame
I agree with Dennis, the device configuration cannot really determine if the switch is a core device, except perhaps some comments in the config, or hostname, which says it's a core device. ;)

As to determining whether switch is L2 or L3, do you mean whether it's capable or operationally? The reason I ask, a L3 switch might not have any L3 features active, even if they are in the configuration.

Also, now a days, L2 vs. L3 can be a bit unclear as some L2 switches include some very basic/limited L3 support. E.g. the later 2960 series models. Further Enterprise L2 switches often support L3 features like ACLs yet they cannot route.