Layer 3

[magibson2]

I know this is a very simple question, but is there a way to be able to tell if a switch is a layer 3 switch without looking at the IOS firmware?  Like can you look anywhere on the chasssis to be able to tell if it is layer 3?

Thanks

[rtjensen4 · Accepted solution]

Sometimes... depends on the switch. Usually you just have to know which ones can do Layer 3 or fire them up and see what IOS is on it.

What kind of switch is it? I know switches like the 3550, 3560, and 3750s do Layer 3 as well as the High end ones in the 4500+ range. Switches in the 2900 series and below don't do Layer 3. they're layer 2 only.

[IAN WHITMORE · Accepted solution]

The latest 2960 switches have basic layer 3 with default and staic routing.

Regards,

Ian

[magibson2]

Thats what I thought.  Let me ask you this in the IOS what is the identifier that I should be looking for to distinguish between layer 2 and layer 3?

[IAN WHITMORE]

IP BASE is uaually layer 2 stuff nad maybe basic layer 3. For layer 3 your looking for ENTSERVICES or ADVANCEDsomething_or_other and with that you get dynamic routing.

Regards,

Ian

[magibson2]

What if it says ipservices is this also a way to tell?