At 04:46 PM 2/25/2003 +0000, Robert Edmonds wrote: >Layer 3 switching combines the best of switching and routing in one >platform. The main advantage here is speed. The way it works is, in a >switch you have some kind of layer 3 routing engine (aka route processor, or >RP). For example, the MSFC2 (Multilayer Switch Feature Card 2) is one of >the options available for the Cisco 6500 (and a couple of others, I think) >switches. When the switch receives a packet bound for a different VLAN, it >sends it to the RP. The RP makes the routing decision and puts an entry in >the route cache for the switch. The first packet in a flow is routed and >the rest are switched at wire speed, hence the increase in speed. That's >kind of a simplified view, but I think it gets the general idea across. So, >layer 3 switching is both routing and switching, but faster (usually, >anyway).
One should keep in mind that many vendors including Cisco have been capable of doing per packet routing at wire speed for some time and thus this "advantage" is a legacy attribute. >""DeVoe, Charles (PKI)"" wrote in message >news:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > > I am under the impression that switching is a layer 2 function and that > > routing is a layer 3 function. I have seen several discussions talking > > about layer 3 switching. Could someone explain this to me? Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=63783&t=63728 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
