Figure 17-9 shows a Layer 3 switch and how it maintains
a port-to-IP address lookup table.
Figure 17-9 Using a Layer 3 Switch for Port-to-IP
Address Mapping
Table 17-2 looks at some of the differences between
Layer 2 and Layer 3 switches.
Table 17-2 Differences Between Layer 2 and Layer 3
SwitchesLayer 2 SwitchLayer 3 SwitchOperates at Layer 2 (data
link) of the OSI modelOperates at Layer 3 (network
layer) of the OSI modelUses MAC addresses for
forwardingUses IP addresses for
forwardingPerforms Layer 2 switching
onlyPerforms both Layer 2 and
Layer 3 switchingCan be used to reduce
traffic security on the localCan be used to implement a
virtual local-area network