Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1998 15:12:34 -0500 (CDT) From: Josh Franta <josh@frantastic.com> To: Bill Fumerola <billf@chc-chimes.com> Cc: freebsd-isp@FreeBSD.ORG Subject: Re: IP Load balancing Message-ID: <Pine.BSF.4.02A.9810081457220.14376-100000@elvis.mu.org> In-Reply-To: <Pine.HPP.3.96.981008105105.21428D-100000@hp9000.chc-chimes.com>
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Um, a layer 3 switch is essentially a router (redirecting datagrams based on layer 3 information). They're implemented differently (asic vs uP design), but they effectively do the same thing (a l3 switch will just forward packets much faster- usually at wire speed). You'd use a layer 3 switch wherever you would need very-high speed routing, usually in the backbone. If you're aware of some of the reasons why one might select a router over a [layer2] switch (or bridge, or repeater), then you know why a layer 3 switch might prove a more appropriate solution than something operating at the data-link layer. josh franta mailto:josh@frantastic.com http://josh.frantastic.com On Thu, 8 Oct 1998, Bill Fumerola wrote: > On Thu, 8 Oct 1998, Jeffrey J. Mountin wrote: > > > Maybe it's just me or it's just how it works in a typical net environment, > > but for all practical purposes layer 2 and layer3 switching are the same. > > Most switches are layer 2, AFAIK. When running TCP/IP, machines on thet > > network use arp to map the IP to the MAC. Only worth mentioning since > > recently I did some checking on what Cicso offered with their various > > models and I couldn't find any reference on the differences between layer 2 > > and layer 3. Not my money, but paying more for a feature without any > > details on the benefits... Also gives reason to your comment on the layer 3. > > Agreed, I'm quite willing to accept the many reasons why a switch is > better then a hub, and I can't find a single reason why a level 3 switch > has anything more then level 2, short of a higher price tag. > > Someone please prove me wrong, for my own sanity. > > - bill fumerola [root/billf]@chc-chimes.com - computer horizons corp - > - ph:(800)252.2421 x128 / bfumerol@computerhorizons.com - BF1560 - > > "Logic, like whiskey, loses its beneficial effect > when taken in too large quantities" -Lord Dunsany > > > > > > > To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org > with "unsubscribe freebsd-isp" in the body of the message > To Unsubscribe: send mail to majordomo@FreeBSD.org with "unsubscribe freebsd-isp" in the body of the message
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