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INTRODUCTION
This section describes the Layer 3 functionality and Layer 2 and Layer 3 features of the
Layer 3 Switching
Layer 3 switching is the integration of two proven technologies: switching and routing. In fact, Layer 3 switches are running the same routing routines and protocols as traditional routers. The main difference between traditional routing and Layer 3 switching is the addition of a group of Layer 2 switching domains and the execution of routing routines for most packets via an ASIC – in hardware instead of software.
Where a traditional router would have one, or at best a few, Fast Ethernet ports, the
The
The
Backbone routers can also be replaced with
The
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