Switches

What Is Switching Layer 2 & Layer 3 Switching. Difference Between Layer 2 Switching and Layer 3 Switching

Layer 2 & Layer 3 switching

Layer 3 switching is ASIC-based routing Traditional routers are better for WAN aggregation Layer 3 switches are more appropriate for scaling Layer 3 performance Layer 2 switches are more appropriate when the additional cost and complexity are not warranted

Switch Operations
MAC-to-switch port mapping Content-addressable memory (CAM) Learns MAC addresses automatically
Source address from arriving frame

Two types of memory buffering

Port-based memory buffering Shared-memory buffering

Symmetric and asymmetric switching

Securing Switch Ports

Configure a permanent MAC address Does not have a TTL Define a static map entry
Restricts communication between specific ports

Set a limit on the number of MAC addresses Define the action when a security violation occurs

Switching Methods
Four methods for processing and forwarding frames Store-and-forward
Read the entire frame

Fragment-free
Reads first 64 bytes Lower latency than store-and-forward Also known as modified cut-through Minor error detection

Switching Methods (continued)

Cut-through
Forwards frame after destination MAC is read First 14 bytes of frame Lowest latency No error detection

Adaptive cut-through
Error sensing Uses cut-through and store-and-forward

Switching Methods (continued)

Switching Methods (continued)

Switching Methods (continued)

Spanning Tree Protocol

Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)
Physical loops Logical loops

Spanning Tree Algorithm (STA) IEEE 802.1d

Spanning Tree Protocol (continued)

Build a logical path
Election process Root bridge (root device) Bridge protocol data units (BPDU) or Configuration bridge protocol data units (CBPDU) Root ports

Spanning Tree Protocol (continued)

Port states
Stable states Blocking: Send and receive BPDUs but no data frames Forwarding: Send and receive all data frames and learn new MAC addresses Disabled: No frames sent or received Transitory states Listening: Listening to election process only Learning: Learning new MAC addresses

Spanning Tree Protocol (continued)

STP switch port process
From bridge/switch bootup to blocking From blocking to listening (or to disabled) From listening to learning (or to disabled) From learning to forwarding (or to disabled) From forwarding to disabled (automatically or manually)

Topology changes

Virtual LANs
Logical grouping of network devices and nodes Broadcast domain Management VLAN
Also known as default VLAN Cannot be deleted Every port is on VLAN 1 by default

Router are required to move traffic between VLANs

Benefits of VLANs
VLANS provide the following benefits
It is easier to add and move stations on the LAN It is easier to reconfigure the LAN There is better traffic control There is increased security

What Is Layer 2 Switching?

Switching Table
Destination 0002.ABCD.EF12

MAC Address
AAAA.1111.BBBB 3215.2511.AFFC 0001.2345.6789 3005.6798.AA05 0002.ABCD.EF12 0005.3ADB.1112

Output Interface
Ethernet 10 Ethernet 5 Ethernet 0 Ethernet 0 Ethernet 6 Ethernet 6

LAN Frame Switching E0 IP Address: 1.1.1.1 MAC Address: 0001.2345.6789

Packet

E6

IP Address: 1.1.1.2
MAC Address: 0002.ABCD.EF12

Data link layer (Layer 2) forwarding Forwards based on MAC layer address Wire-speed multiport bridge Transparent to upper layers

Dynamic vs. Static VLANs

VLANs can be configured dynamically or statically Static VLANs are configured port-by-port Dynamic VLAN ports automatically learn their VLAN assignment
Software database of MAC address-to-VLAN mappings

What Is Layer 3 Switching?

Routing Table
Destination Switch Subnet Interface 5.X 6.x 2.X 1.X 1.5.X Fast Ether 1 Gigabit Ether 3 Ethernet 2 Ethernet 0 Ethernet 6

Router Frame Header

Layer 3 Switch E0

2.1.1.1
D S S R T C

Data

E2 IP Address: 2.1.1.1

Packet Header IP Address: 1.1.1.1

Network layer (Layer 3) forwarding Forwards packets using ASICs based on network layer address Wire-speed routing for the LAN Network reachability learned by routing protocols

Packet Manipulation at Layer 3

Ethernet Frame
D S S R IP Packet D S S R Data

Ethernet Frame
F C S
D S S R

IP Packet D S S R

Data

T T L

T T L

F C S

T C XA

T C

T C BY

T C

MAC Addresses

Layer 3 switching/routing performs packet rewrite

Modify MAC addresses Decrement TTL to prevent packet looping Recompute FCS of modified frame

Layer 3 switches and routers perform the same functions to a packet being switched

Why Do We Need Layer 3 Switching?

Inversion of 80/20 rule
Intranets have changed traffic patterns so that 80% of traffic now crosses network backbones Trend to centralize servers exacerbates problem Web has turned PCs into both subscribers and publishers

Advanced network services such as QoS, IP multicasting, intranets, extranets, and VPNs are better handled at Layer 3

Layer 3 performance must scale to accommodate new, increased traffic patterns

A Layer 3 Switch Has Two Distinct Components

Packet Switching Route Processing

ASICs:
High-performance, hardware-based Layer 3 switching and services with consistent low latency

Routing software:
Routing protocols to provide scalability:
Backbone redundancy Dynamic load balancing and fast convergence in the backbone Reachability information

Multiprotocol support for the campus

What Is the Difference Between Layer 3 Switching and Routing?

Layer 3 switches forward packets using ASICs Routers forward packets using CPU processing power

A Layer 3 switch is the same as a campus router

A Layer 3 or a Layer 2 Switch? Other Advantages

Enhances security Improves manageability Allows VLAN implementation without an external router Offers increased redundancy/resiliency

Other Considerations Cost Complexity