Difference between layer 2 and layer 3 switches

Asked By Jennyln Pierce 10 points N/A Posted on - 01/22/2012

What is the difference between layer 2 and layer 3 switches? I would also like to know how V.35 and RS 232 cables are different from each other. How much bandwidth can each of these cables support?

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Answered By Michelle Bang 55 points N/A #114589

Difference between layer 2 and layer 3 switches

According to definition, a layer 2 switch operates using your PC's Mac addresses in its caching table to quickly pass information from one port to another. Whereas a layer 3 switch uses the IP address to perform the same task. Rs-232 is being used as a standard interface between Data Terminal Equipment (DTE) and Data Circuit Terminating Equipment (DCE) from a long time.

It has few different versions like rs-232c, rs-232d etc. Rs-232 is used to transfer asynchronous data transfer as well as the synchronous transfer such as frame relay, System Development Life Cycle (SDLC). I am posting a picture from the inter of pin out for RS-232 on a DB25 connector for your convenience.

Now come the V.35 interface. It was originally specified by CCITT as an interface for the 48 kbps line transmission system. It has been adopted for all line speeds above 20 kbps. It was discontinued by CCITT in 1988 and was then replaced by V.10 and V11 depending on the nature of connections.

V.35 was a mixture of balanced and common earth signal interfaces like the rs-422 and rs-232. There is no specific bandwidth limit for both of these. It depends on the type of interface you are using like a router etc.

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Answered By Aristono Martin 20 points N/A #114591

Difference between layer 2 and layer 3 switches

Hi Jennlyn,

Layer 2 switches basically used and utilized MAC addresses on its caching table to be able to pass information from a certain port to another port on a fast pace. Layer 2 switches basically works as a transparent multi port bridge. It can learn the MAC addresses of each connection on the port and passes frames for those specified port.

Layer 3 switches is essentially the same as Layer 2 but instead of MAC addresses, it uses IP addresses. Layer 3 switch is both a router and a switch as it has both capabilities and usually called a hybrid switch.

Aristono

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