Can I use Layer 3 switch as a router?

can i use layer 3 switch as a router?

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Do you have a high-speed data connection? Not? Use Power over Ethernet. You can get the speed up to 10 gigabytes per second with IEEE 802.3bt within the limited range. Usually, you need to install the different systems to get your device’s power and data connection. Why not have a solution? Power over Ethernet can help you get both.

  • High-speed data up to 10 gigabytes per second
  • High power up to 95 watts

You might have questions regarding this system. No worries. Most buildings have built-in PoE technology. If you want to know whether your switch is PoE compatible or not, look at —Does my switch support PoE?

How can I get Power over Ethernet?

You have two options to choose from.

  • If you have preinstalled the PoE system, buy Ethernet switches, and power your system.
  • If your device is not PoE compatible, you can try it with the PoE injector.

Our main topic of discussion is the Ethernet switch, especially the type 3 Ethernet switch.

What is a Layer 3 Ethernet switch?

What is a switch? A bridge to connect different devices, right? But not here. Layer 3 switch is more than a mere switch acting as a bridge between the devices. I suppose you understand what exactly I mean. Let me define the layer 3 switch as well.

Layer 3 Ethernet switch is a type of Ethernet switch that connects multiple devices on the same subnet and analyzes the data packets. It works as a bridge and performs routing features to improve the performance of the data.

What is a router?

Do you have a router at your home? If yes, I suppose you know what precisely the router does for you. In actuality, the router is a device that receives the data packets from one device and transfers it to the target device. In simple words, it can help you connect to the internet. You can observe the WiFi routers that provide your devices with a data connection and transfer data packets at home.

Can I use the layer 3 switch as a router?

Good question. Can you answer it? If not, no problem, I can help you decide on it. As mentioned above, the Layer 3 switch acts as a router to improve the network’s performance. You can use the layer 3 switch for dual functions — network switch and router.

Like a router, it can perform intelligence by examining the data packets and forwarding them to the target device over the IP address. Moreover, it uses the traditional routing protocols to improve the network’s performance, like OSPF, RIP, and EIGRP. One switch, multiple functions. Quite impressive.

Layer 3 switch vs. Traditional router:

Seem to be different terms but have many similarities and differences. The switch has the function of a router, which performs only routing functions. However, here is a comprehensive list of similarities and differences between the router and layer 3 switch regarding routing features.

Similarities:

Many a thing are pretty essential to discuss. Most of the features and routing facilities are similar to the layer 3 switch and a router. However, you can have a look at the similarities below.

  • The switch and traditional routers offer layer 3 basic routing like OSPF, EIGRP, and RIP.
  • The ultimate goal is to manage the traffic over the network. Both are doing well in this aspect.
  • Both receive the data packets, analyze them, and forward them to the target device.
  • Both can work over the given target devices’ IP address and MAC address.

Differences:

Seem to be the same? Don’t make haste. There are some key differences as well between both devices. Here is how exactly they are different.

Hardware:

One of the main differences between the layer 3 switch and router is their hardware. The layer 3 switch supports the intranet devices over the LANs(local area network) while no WAN(vast area network) features exist. The layer 3 switch has some improving features to improve the network’s performance with an integrated system.

Working Principle:

A bit different. But, it can be helpful for us to determine how both of these work differently to provide us with the routing features. Layer 3 switch receives the data packets, performs intelligence functions, and forwards them to the destination device. Compared to it, the router does an additional job by providing the IP address firewall filtering.

Scope:

When it comes to the scope and areas of applications, we can look at both the router and layer 3 switches. At offices, data management centers, and other places, the layer 3 switch works if there is LAN. In the case of WAN features, it becomes difficult to do it. For WAN, you can choose the traditional router to provide you with some extra features.

Size of routing table:

Not many route entries are possible with the layer 3 switches. Therefore, it has small routing tables that support only a small number of entries. Compared to it, traditional routers come up with an astounding number of routing entries and have bigger size routing tables.

Forwarding Decision:

The forwarding decision is different on both sides as well. In layer 3 switch, the forwarding feature relies on hardware ACIS that is quite different from a traditional router. The conventional router offers software-enabled forwarding over the IOS. I hope you understand both of these.

Switching capacity:

As I already mentioned, the layer 3 switch offers both routing and switching facilities. By that means, the ultimate design is to provide the devices with switching features. Therefore, it has a high switching capacity. In the case of a traditional router, you might not observe this scenario. However, routers also provide switching features but less than the layer 3 switches.

Port Density:

Layer 3 Ethernet switch employs a high port density while the router has a low port density.

Which one should you choose? Router or Layer 3 switch?

Haven’t you made the decision yet? Let me make an informed decision in this case. It depends on the requirements and other features you need to employ in the office or data center. For example, if you want both routing and switching over the LAN network, go ahead with the layer 3 switches. If you need routing features with the WAN available, your choice must be a router. Therefore, it all depends on what you need and in what ways.

Mr.Hua

Mr.Hua

Hi, I'm Mr. Hua, The funder of HoweVision technology, I'v been woking industrial communication equipment for 8 years now, and the purpose of this article is to share with you the knowledge related to industrial communication from a China supplier's perspective.

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What You Will Get From This Ebook?

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  7. Industrial Switch Selection and Technical Requirements
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