D-Link DES-3326 User Manual - Ntroduction
DES-3326 Layer 3 Fast Ethernet Switch User’s Guide
Introduction
3
1
I
NTRODUCTION
This section describes the Layer 3 functionality and Layer 2 and
Layer 3 features of the DES-3326. Some background information
about Ethernet/Fast Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and switching
technology is presented. This is intended for readers who may not
be familiar with the concepts of layered switching and routing but
is not intended to be a complete or in-depth discussion.
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 DES-3326 Layer 3 switch has 24 Fast Ethernet
ports and optionally, 2 Gigabit Ethernet ports. Where a traditional
router would have one or two high-speed serial WAN connections,
the DES-3326 relies upon a Fast Ethernet port to connect to a
separate device, which in turn, connects the network to a WAN or
the Internet.