a "layer three switch" is a router, just as a "switch" is really a bridge. a layer 3 switch 'routes' in hardware, while a router routes in software.
thats the easiest way to look at them. it has gaps, but once you get the big picture you can then start to talk about the specifics. probably the biggest thing that a layer 3 switch can't do (unless its changed recently) is route anything but IP. while designing the hardware routing circuits for a L3-switch they had to compromise and IP being the most popular won out. thats not to say that one day they won't have made enough chipsets to route every other kind of protocol also. I suppose since we saw the death of bridges due to switches, we'll also see the death of routers to L3-switch. scott ""nanda"" wrote in message news:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Hi ... > > We have switches that operate at Layer 3..right.. > My Question is when we have Routers that are good enough why do we need > switches at layer3? > Under what circumtances do we use switches instead of routers? > > Hope I made Myself Clear...Thanks in Advance!!! > > Regards... > Nanda Message Posted at: http://www.groupstudy.com/form/read.php?f=7&i=65242&t=65215 -------------------------------------------------- FAQ, list archives, and subscription info: http://www.groupstudy.com/list/cisco.html Report misconduct and Nondisclosure violations to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
