2960 - Layer 2, but has limited layer 3 with IOS 12.2(55)SE or newer
According to this spec sheet http://blog.router-switch.com/2014/03/cisco-catalyst-2960-x-comparison-features/
Layer 3 features with IP Lite feature set (2960-XR only)
Cisco IOS Software feature sets Cisco Catalyst 2960-X Series Switches support:
Platform | IP Lite (Layer 3) | LAN Base (Layer 2) | LAN Lite (Basic Layer 2) |
2960-XR | Yes | No | No |
2960-X | No | Yes | Yes |
The 2960 series supports static IP unicast routing. You must be running IOS 12.2(55)SE or 12.2(58)SE. Here is the info from CIsco:
This chapter describes how to configure IP Version 4 (IPv4) static IP unicast routing on the Catalyst 2960-S and 2960 switch. Static routing is supported only on switched virtual interfaces (SVIs) and not on physical interfaces. The switch does not support routing protocols.
Types of Routing
Routers and Layer 3 switches can route packets in these ways:
•Using default routing to send traffic with a destination unknown to the router to a default outlet or destination
•Using static routes to forward packets from predetermined ports through a single path into and out of a network
•Dynamically calculating routes by using a routing protocol
The switch supports static routes and default routes, It does not support routing protocols.
Steps for Configuring Routing
By default, IP routing is disabled on the switch. For detailed IP routing configuration information, see the Cisco IOS IP Configuration Guide, Release 12.2 from the Cisco.com page under Documentation > Cisco IOS Software Releases > 12.2 Mainline > Configuration Guides.
In these procedures, the specified interface must be a switch virtual interface (SVI)—a VLAN interface created by using the interface vlan vlan_id global configuration command and by default a Layer 3 interface. All Layer 3 interfaces on which routing will occur must have IP addresses assigned to them. See the "Assigning IP Addresses to SVIs" section.
Note The switch supports 16 static routes (including user-configured routes and the default route) and any directly connected routes and default routes for the management interface. The switch can have an IP address assigned to each SVI. Before enabling routing, enter the sdm prefer lanbase-routing global configuration command and reload the switch.
Now, because the switch does not support any routing protocols, does that mean it is not a layer 3 switch? It still supports static routing and default routes. So, whether we call it a layer 2, layer 2,5 or even layer 3 switch or not. The fact remains it supports limited static IP unicast routing.
HTH
