Dragon0x40
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What are Layer 3 Switches?
I need help understanding what a layer 3 switch is and how to tell if I am working on one.
I have some Catalyst 6500 series switches that I believe are layer 2 only. They run CATOS. On these switches the command "show ip interfaces brief" will not run.
I have some CAt 6500 that run in Hybrid mode. The switch side runs CATOS and if I "session 15" to the MSFC running IOS and run "show ip interfaces brief" I don't see any physical interfaces just the vlans.
I have other CAT 6500 switches that run native IOS and if I run "show ip interfaces brief" then I see the vlan interfaces and the physical interfaces.
Is the Hybrid switch a layer 2 or layer 3 switch?
Does the hardware or IOS/CATOS determine if it is a layer 2 or layer 3 switch?
Can you change a Layer 2 to a Layer 3 by upgrading the IOS code?
I have some Catalyst 6500 series switches that I believe are layer 2 only. They run CATOS. On these switches the command "show ip interfaces brief" will not run.
I have some CAt 6500 that run in Hybrid mode. The switch side runs CATOS and if I "session 15" to the MSFC running IOS and run "show ip interfaces brief" I don't see any physical interfaces just the vlans.
I have other CAT 6500 switches that run native IOS and if I run "show ip interfaces brief" then I see the vlan interfaces and the physical interfaces.
Is the Hybrid switch a layer 2 or layer 3 switch?
Does the hardware or IOS/CATOS determine if it is a layer 2 or layer 3 switch?
Can you change a Layer 2 to a Layer 3 by upgrading the IOS code?
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So if I want to put an ip address on interface/port 3/1 then the line card 3 and the supervisor both must support L3?
If I don't need an ip address on port 3/1 then I just put port 3/1 in a vlan and use the layer 3 supervisor to route between vlans?
If I don't need an ip address on port 3/1 then I just put port 3/1 in a vlan and use the layer 3 supervisor to route between vlans?
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thanks GuruChiu,
To use the "switchport" and "no switchport" commands to change from a layer 2 to a layer 3 port, then the line card must support layer 3 and the supervisor must also support layer 3?
How can I tell if layer 3 port capability is available?
To use the "switchport" and "no switchport" commands to change from a layer 2 to a layer 3 port, then the line card must support layer 3 and the supervisor must also support layer 3?
How can I tell if layer 3 port capability is available?
ASKER
CATOS does not support routed L3 interfaces So the switch must be running Cisco IOS not CATOS and have layer3 capable ports and code.
From the link you sent me.
Cisco Catalyst OS, which has all ports enabled, Layer 2 aware, and in VLAN 1 by default and does not support routed interfaces.
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/switches/ps5718/ps708/prod_white_paper09186a00800c8441.html
From the link you sent me.
Cisco Catalyst OS, which has all ports enabled, Layer 2 aware, and in VLAN 1 by default and does not support routed interfaces.
http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/switches/ps5718/ps708/prod_white_paper09186a00800c8441.html
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thanks donjohnston,
So if you run CATOS on a 6500 you have no physical interfaces on line cards to make L3 and put an ip address on?
If you run Native IOS and have L3 cards (not the norm) then you could use the "no switchport" command and put an ip address on that interface?
If the above statements are correct then the route to the new routed port would still have to go through an SVI? I am thinking this because the routed port would not be a member of a VLAN but you could turn on dot1q trunking?
So if you run CATOS on a 6500 you have no physical interfaces on line cards to make L3 and put an ip address on?
If you run Native IOS and have L3 cards (not the norm) then you could use the "no switchport" command and put an ip address on that interface?
If the above statements are correct then the route to the new routed port would still have to go through an SVI? I am thinking this because the routed port would not be a member of a VLAN but you could turn on dot1q trunking?
You are correct.
ASKER
If I understand you correctly the line cards will support Layer 3 if the supervisor will?