2. What is the fundamental distinction between a Layer 2 switch and a router?

Answer 1

The fundamental distinction between a Layer 2 switch and a router lies in their functionality and the way they handle network traffic.

1. Layer 2 Switch: A Layer 2 switch operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model. It functions primarily based on MAC addresses. It reads the source MAC address from incoming frames and maintains a MAC address table (also known as CAM table) to forward frames to the appropriate destination ports within the same local area network (LAN). It uses the switching method of switching packets between devices within the same network. Switches provide multiple ports for connecting devices, such as computers, printers, servers, etc., in a LAN. They are efficient in forwarding data packets at wire speed and are capable of providing high-speed connectivity and bandwidth optimization within a LAN.

2. Router: A router operates at the network layer (Layer 3) of the OSI model. It is responsible for routing packets between different networks. Routers use IP addresses to make decisions on routing data packets. They create and maintain routing tables to determine the most appropriate path for forwarding data packets to their destination across different networks. Routers use protocols like OSPF, BGP, etc., to exchange routing information with other routers on the internet. They connect multiple networks, such as LANs or WANs (Wide Area Networks), and direct traffic between them. Routers provide features like network address translation (NAT), firewall, and access control lists (ACLs) to enhance network security.

In summary, while both Layer 2 switches and routers are networking devices, the primary distinction lies in the layer of the OSI model at which they operate (Layer 2 for switches and Layer 3 for routers) and their different functionalities in handling network traffic. Switches are used for forwarding packets within a LAN based on MAC addresses, whereas routers are used for routing packets between different networks based on IP addresses.