Chapter 9 L3 Forward Configuration; Layer 3 Interface; Introduction To Layer 3 Interface; Layer 3 Interface Configuration Task List - Edge-Core ES3628EA User Manual

Chapter 9 L3 Forward Configuration

ES3628EA switch supports Layer 3 forwarding which forwards Layer 3 protocol
packets (IP packets) across VLANs. Such forwarding uses IP addresses, when a port
receives an IP packet, it will index it in its own route table and decide the operation
according to the index result. If the IP packet is destined to another subnet reachable
from this switch, then the packet will be forwarded from the appropriate port. ES3628EA
switch can forward IP packets by hardware, the forwarding chip of ES3628EA switch
have a host route table and default route table. Host route table stores host routes to
connect to the switch directly; default route table stores network routes (after aggregation
algorithm process).
If the route (either host route or network route) for forwarding unicast traffic exists in
the forwarding chip, rather than processing by the CPU in router, the forwarding of traffic
will be completely handled by hardware,not like router forwarding by CPU. As a result,
forwarding efficiency can be greatly improved, even to wire speed.

9.1 Layer 3 Interface

9.1.1 Introduction to Layer 3 Interface

Layer 3 interface can be created on ES3628EA switch. The Layer 3 interface is not a
physical interface but a virtual interface. Layer 3 interface is built on VLANs. The Layer 3
interface can contain one or more layer2 interfaces which belongs to the same VLAN, or
no layer2 interfaces. At least one of the Layer2 interfaces contained in Layer 3 interface
should be in a UP state for Layer 3 interface in the UP state, otherwise, Layer 3 interface
will be in the DOWN state. All layer 3 interfaces in the switch use the same MAC address
by default, this address is selected from the reserved MAC address while creating Layer
3 interface. The Layer 3 interface is the base for layer 3 protocols. The switch can use
the IP addresses set in the layer 3 interfaces to communicate with the other devices via
IP. The switch can forward IP packets between different Layer 3 interfaces.

9.1.2 Layer 3 Interface Configuration Task List

1. Create Layer 3 Interface
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