A network switch is a basic component of any network that allows the transport and routing of data. Networking switches were introduced as advanced solutions to prevent data flooding issues in a local network and have many advantages over hubs. Unlike a hub, a network switch doesn’t increase traffic in your network and sends data packets only to a particular host. A switch helps network administrators improve routing efficiency and data capacity in a local network.
Layer 2 and layer 3 network switches are the most fundamental pieces of any network. It is critical to understand the role of these switches and the differences between their in-network functioning. It helps you make the right decisions between Layer 2 and Layer 3 switches that can have a significant impact on your network operations in the OSI networking model.
OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) is a networking model with seven layers to standardize the operations and functions of computing systems around the world. The OSI model helps IT professionals design network topology and interpretability to achieve specific networking capacity and efficiency. The most talked-about layer 2 switch works on OSI layer 2, that is data link layer to send frames to a destination port associated with a particular MAC address based on the MAC address table. The layer 3 switch works on network layers of the OSI model, that is layer 3 in the open system interconnection. Layer 3 switch is widely used on VLANs to route data packets by using IP addresses.
Layer 2 Switch
Layer 2 switches in a local network do switching only by using devices’ MAC addresses. They redirect data packets from the source to the destination port by maintaining a MAC address table to identify MAC addresses assigned to a particular port. A device MAC address operates within Layer 2 of the OSI model and is used to differentiate one computing/networking device from another. Layer 2 switches utilize hardware-based switching technology to manage packet routing within the network. Packet switching at layer 2 of the OSI reference model is quite faster because MAC address sorting is done at a physical layer that acts as a bridge to communicate with different devices.
Layer 3 Switch
A switch used at layer 3 of the OSI reference model does exactly the opposite of what a Layer 2 switch does. Layer 3 switches use IP addresses to route data packets to provide better and faster performance than routers. It is a specialized device for data packet routing with fast switching capabilities and higher port density. Layer 3 switches don’t require making extra network hops to route data packets. Large-scale enterprises use layer 3 switches as a high-speed router where WAN connectivity is not required.
Differences Between Layer 2 Switches and Layer 3 Switches
The layer 2 and layer 3 network switches have different routing functions. A layer 2 switch works only with devices’ MAC addresses for data packet routing and doesn’t care about anything else on higher layers. On the other hand, a layer 3 switch is a multilayer switch to provides static and dynamic routing while doing all the functions of layer 2 switches. It means a layer 3 switch maintains both the MAC address table and IP routing table for packet routing and VLAN communication. Additionally, layer 3 switches have features to understand information associated with IP addresses for network handling and routing without the requirement of manual configurations. It increases security and power demand in a local network for faster and safer routing and switching.
Let’s have a quick look at the key differences between layer 2 and layer switches based on different parameters in the following table:
| Parameters | Layer 2 Switch | Layer 3 Switch |
| Operating System | MAC address | IP address |
| Routing Function | Switching of data packets | Routing and switching of data packets using IP address |
| Utility | Manage the traffic network. | For implementing VLAN communication |
| Speed | It is fast. | Slower than the Layer 2 switch |
| Domain | Single broadcast domain | Multiple broadcast domain |
| Inter-network communication | It only allows communication within the network | Supports both local and inter-network communication |
| Cost | Low cost | Expensive |
When you are purchasing network switches and are confused between Layer 2 and Layer 3 switches, you should determine where and how your switches will be used for packet routing and switching. However, the number of VLANs, forwarding rate, backplane bandwidth, latency rates, and memory of MAC address are some of the key parameters to check when purchasing layer 2 and layer 3 switches. If you are deploying a local network purely on a layer 2 domain, a layer 2 switch will work fine for you. But if you require to aggregate multiple access switches and VLAN routing, you will need a layer 3 switch for your network deployment.
Picking between layer 2 and layer 3 switches for your local network can be a daunting process, and you shouldn’t hesitate to talk to professionals and experts to make the right decisions. If you want to want to purchase network switches, routers, and other accessories, contact us at IT Network Technologies for the best and most reliable services and solutions. We are a reputed dealer of networking products and accessories in the UAE and provide complete IT business solutions to our clients in the region.
Author: TechBlonHub
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