Talk:Multilayer switch

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)


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

nat
"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)

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)

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 I have a feeling that the cited article dating from 1999 is getting a little outdated in what is now a fast-developing area, but I dont want to tie this to Cisco since virtually every other vendor of network equipment probably has a content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)

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)

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)


 * 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)