Computer Network Switches
By Stephen Bucaro

A bridge or router may be referred to as a "switch" because it uses information in the
data packet to choose a path from one network segment to another. A bridge may be referred to
as a "layer 2 switch" because it uses information from layer 2, the Data Link layer of
the OSI model. A router may be referred to as a "layer 3 switch" because it uses information
from layer 3, the Network layer of the OSI model. A network device that uses a higher layer of
the OSI model may be referred to as a "layer 4 switch", and so on.
More Networking Protocols and Standards: • Internet Security and VPN Network Design • IPv4 Address Classes • 14 Common Network Ports You Should Know • VTP (VLAN Trunking Protocol) • The OSI Application Layer • Evolution of the Microsoft NOS (Active Directory) • IEEE 802 Standards Specify the Basics of Physical and Logical Networking • Comparing IPv4 and IPv6 at a Glance • A Simple Description of the IPv6 Header and Datagram • IP Addressing
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