Multilayer switching is new, and there is no industry standard yet on nomenclature. Vendors, analysts, and editors don’t agree about the specific meaning of terms such as multilayer switch, Layer 3 switch, IP switch, routing switch, switching router, and wirespeed router. Typically these different terms don’t reflect differences in product architecture as much as differing editorial and marketing policies. Nevertheless, the term multilayer switch seems to be the best and most widely used description of this class of product that performs both Layer 3 routing and Layer 2 switching functions.
Did you find this white paper useful?
28 out of 50 users found this white paper useful
Related white papers
A NetBSD-Based IPv6/NEMO Mobile Router
This paper defines the problem statement of vehicle-embedded networking in order to communicate with the infrastructure (the Internet) as well as with other cars. Based on this problem statement, the...
Routing Protocols for Self-Organizing Hierarchical Ad-Hoc Wireless Networks
A novel self-organizing hierarchical architecture is proposed for improving the scalability properties of ad-hoc wireless networks. This paper focuses on the design and evaluation of routing protocols applicable to this...
New Routing Innovations
Cisco Systems has been asking customers that question for 20 years, ever since we introduced the world's first router. Now Cisco would like you to join them as they publicly...
Consulting Firm Acquires Seven Companies, Doesn't Miss a Call
This case study examines how Navigant Consulting, an independent consulting firm, used a single, converged IP network to help a dynamic global workforce improve responsiveness to clients -- regardless of...
Ethernet Technologies
Ethernet has survived as an essential media technology because of its tremendous flexibility and its relative simplicity to implement and understand. Although other technologies have been touted as likely replacements,...
Designing High-Performance Campus Intranets with Multilayer Switching
This paper briefly compares several approaches to designing campus intranets using multilayer switching. Then it describes the hierarchical approach called multilayer campus network design in greater detail. The multilayer design...
Virtual LAN Communications
The first section of this document briefly discusses the importance of each one of these components within VLAN architectures. The second section reviews the benefits of VLANs and their applicability...
