Introduction; Layer 3 Switching - D-Link DES-3326SR User Manual

DES-3326SR Layer 3 Fast Ethernet Switch User's Guide
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I
NTRODUCTION
This section describes the functionality features of the DES-
3326SR. Some background information about Ethernet/Fast
Ethernet, Gigabit Ethernet, and switching technology is
presented.

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.
The DES-3326SR can also replace key traditional routers for
data centers and server farms, routing between these locations
and the rest of the network, and providing 24 ports of Layer 2
switching performance combined with wire-speed routing.
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