Talk:Multilayer switch

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merge with Layer 4 router

The term switch traditionally referred to a layer 2 device, operating on individual network segments and using MAC addresses. The term router traditionally referred to a layer 3 device operating on the IP protocol. So I guess that a layer 4 router is the same thing as a layer 4 switch, so probably the discussion belongs here. I personally would have preferred a main page called "Content Switch" but multi-layer switch (or multi-layer router?) seems more descriptive perhaps. IanB 13:00, 26 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Layer 4 router redirects to this article (Multilayer switch). ~Kvng (talk) 17:19, 24 March 2022 (UTC)[reply]

nat

The following discussion is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

"Some of the layer 7 switches can NAT at wirespeed."

at least in its basic form nat is layer 4 isn't it? Plugwash 21:33, 5 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I think this comment can be removed now that the text says "Layer 4-7 switches". Will remove in a couple of months if there's no further comment. IanB 10:13, 18 July 2006 (UTC)[reply]

The discussion above is closed. Please do not modify it. Subsequent comments should be made on the appropriate discussion page. No further edits should be made to this discussion.

content switches

I've tried to expand this section, although I am certainly no subject matter expert. My information source is basically the Cisco web site, and some knowledge about there 111500 series content switches and the 6500 content switching module. I have a feeling that the cited article dating from 1999 is getting a little outdated in what is now a fast-developing area, but I dont want to tie this to Cisco since virtually every other vendor of network equipment probably has a content switch offering. Somehow this page should also link to the Load Balancing page I came across a while ago. IanB 12:06, 26 June 2006 (UTC)[reply]

ASIC vs Non ASIC

So are you seriously saying that to be a layer 3 switch it has to have an ASIC? What if there were a bunch of chips with NAND, AND, OR, NOR etc. gates that were for generic use but in this case wired to the switch? Does that automatically mean it is not a layer 3 switch? And then what if I were to use an FPGA? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 203.94.167.145 (talk) 06:20, 9 April 2008 (UTC)[reply]

He is right on... This is NOT the major difference. The Major difference in is their capabilities. You can build a Layer 2 switch with ASIC, and my guess is that most are. If anything, the Layer 3 switches are microprocessor driven with off the shelf hardware and the layer 2 switches use ASIC. Or they both use them equally. 70.176.203.140 (talk) 01:16, 31 July 2008 (UTC)[reply]

I've marked the uncited ASIC statements in the article as dubious. Hopefully someone can find some good references to straighten this out. --Kvng (talk) 17:33, 9 January 2010 (UTC)[reply]