Layer 3 Switch

Layer 3 Switch provides internetwork communication with the high speed near wire communication speed. High performance routing with layer 3 switch can produce a network that functions at or near wire speeds with minimal latency. In a large business or corporate network with multiple networks, Layer 3 Switch (such as GSM7324 NETGEAR layer 3 Switch) would improves the LAN performance and reduce latency.

We can improve LAN performance by using high speed 100/1000 Mbps backbone links and high performance LAN switches. For multi segment networks, the deployment of high performance Layer 3 Switch will improve internetwork segments communication with minimal latency. All links should be maximized for throughput and any network bottleneck issues resolved. Technologies that utilize link aggregation provide an easy way to scale the LANs bandwidth requirements. Adoption of gigabit and future 10GE backbones will ensure the LAN scalability and provide smooth integration for current and planned network services. Consider the GSM7324 NETGEAR layer 3 Switch.

The use of layer-3 switch can help resolve with internetwork latency and performance limitations commonly associated with processor based routing and the use of packet filtering. Layer-3 switch is a LAN technology used for improving inter-VLAN routing and achieving transparent forwarding rates. NETGEAR GSM7324 layer 3 Switch provides all the layer 3 requirements you need. See also Virtual LAN best practice concept.

The minimum requirement with regards to LAN Performance and Layer 3 switch is:

1. All links must be maximized for throughput and any network bottleneck issues resolved. If bottlenecks exist then consider the upgrading of critical backbone links and server segments. Analysis of switching and routing throughput may also be required.
2. To achieve a high performance communication between LAN segments or VLANs, then a layer 3 switch solution should be used.
3. A Layer 3 switch must offer forwarding rates at or above 5 to 10 Mpps (Million packets per second), and that scales to speeds (100/1000 Mbps) encountered in the LAN.
4. A layer 3 switch should also perform extended access-list (packet filtering) checking in silicon to improve packet forwarding rates and reduce network latency. Faster network links can be provisioned by using Fast and Gigabit Ethernet Services. Links speeds can be further improved by using Ether Channel technologies (FEC\GEC) were appropriate. This can provide large data pipes at 800 Mbps (FEC) or 8 Gbps (GEC) respectively.

If high internetwork or inter-VLAN routing throughput is required then layer 3 switch should be used. Layer-3 switch is a high performance routing in hardware (silicon) solution which provides the ability to route packets at line speed with very low latency. Conventional routing is processor driven and suffers from slower packet forwarding rates (less than 500 Kpps). Layer 3 switch can yield forwarding rates in excess of 5 Mpps (packets per second), while some implementations of Layer 3 switch can forward at or above 15 Mpps.

Multi-layer switching (MLS) is the ability to perform layer-2, layer-3 and layer-4 (sometimes higher) switching in hardware. This is off particular importance when a single chassis is required to provide high performance switching and routing within the LAN. Layer-4 (L4) switching is important when addressing the performance and latency limitation of packet filtering via extended access lists.

Normal processor based packet filtering is a very performance intensive operation, with many packet tests being performed which can impede packet throughput. MLS circumvents this performance overhead by identifying packet streams in a valid flow, routing the packet once and then subsequently switching (in silicon) all packets in the flow.

Network performance should be optimized in an effective manner to suit existing and future network performance requirements. Network bottlenecks should be resolved to improve the network performance and application response times.

If network bottlenecks are not resolved then notable network performance degradation and network timeouts will occur.

By not using a layer 3 switch between high performance LAN segments, a routing bottleneck will occur.

NETGEAR GSM7324 layer 3 Switch

The following is GSM7324 Netgear layer 3 Switch, full layer 3 with Gigabit functionality at an affordable price. This GSM7324 Netgear layer 3 Switch is full-managed Switch to provide layer 3 features you expect, maximum throughput and flexibility for demanding networks. GSM7324 layer 3 Switch is ideal as a backbone for 10/100 switches, Gigabit servers, or as the robust core of a demanding, all-Gigabit network.

GSM7324 Netgear layer 3 Switch provides both Layer 2 and Layer 3 managed switching functionality combined with L2/L3/L4 Quality of Service, bandwidth provisioning and access control features enable Voice over IP (VoIP) telephony, video conferencing, and other cost-saving applications. The following features will set this GSM7324 Netgear layer 3 Switch as the robust core of a demanding, all-Gigabit network.

1. Routing capability: IPv4 routing at wire speed, with up to 512 routes per unit; VRRP (IP redundancy), ICMP, RIP I and RIP II, OSPF, and DHCP/BOOTP relay. See also ip routing guidelines
2. Switching capability: Port trunking, STP broadcast storm protection, extensive VLAN support, IGMP snooping, Rapid Spanning Tree, and link aggregation, see also vpn tutorial
3. Quality of Service feature: DiffServ, access control lists, and bandwidth provisioning using L2, L3, and L4 information.

Very affordable, the GSM7324 Netgear Layer 3 Switch provides the connection flexibility of 12 or 24 Copper Gigabit ports, or up to 12 small form-factor pluggable (SFP) modules, sold separately.

HP E5500-48G-PoE Layer 3 Switch

HP E5500-48G is a designed for large business network. it’s a fully managed switch with advanced layer 3 routing capability for multi-segments environment.

Uplink Type:

1. 10/100/1000 Copper
2. 1000MB Fiber
3. 10 GbE Copper
4. 10 GbE Fiber
5. IPv6 Host / Management
6. High Availability Features:
7. Redundant Power
8. Stacking

Features:

1. HP E5500 Series Gigabit devices are fully managed advanced Layer 2/3/4 enterprise-class switches.
2. 48x 10/100/1000 ports including four dual personality ports matched to SFP ports for fiber connectivity.
3. 2x built-in stacking ports each supporting 24Gbps; 8-high redundant configuration supports 96Gbps full duplex stacking performance.
4. Full routing capabilities including static routes, RIP routing V1/V2, multicast routing, OSPF, PIM SM and DM
5. One expansion slot supporting available 1- and 2-port 10-Gigabit module, or supporting 8 additional SFP Gigabit ports.
6. Upgradable IEEE 802.3af Power over Ethernet with a PoE power budget of 300 Watts by changing the power supply.