What are Layer 1, 2, and 3 Ethernet Switches?

L3 的交換器又稱為 IP Switch 或 Switch Router，透過專屬的 ASIC 晶片來解析第三層表頭（如 IP Header）以達到傳送目的，因此通常可以提高到每秒百萬封包的效能以及數十個高速乙太網路連接埠之容量。

如果你曾經買過交換器（Switch），可能聽過有 Layer 2 和 Layer 3 的 Switch，或是被簡稱成 L2、L3。 但 Switch 的作用具體是什麼呢？

This guide serves as an introduction to Layer 1 switching, explaining in layman’s terms the OSI model, the functionality of crosspoint switches, the concept of latency, clock and data recovery as well as programmable switches.

Explore the differences between Layer 1, 2, and 3 Ethernet switches, including their working principles, technologies, and performance factors. Learn about Layer 2 switching, Layer 3 routing, and how to choose the right switch for your network.

Layer 1 switches, often referred to as physical layer switches or unmanaged switches, are the simplest form of network switches. These switches operate at the physical layer of the OSI (Open Systems Interconnection) model and are primarily responsible for

第二層交換器（Layer 2 Switch）類似多埠口橋接器（Multi-port Switch）功能，但並沒有協定轉換功能，亦即， Layer 2 Switch 是在相同的媒介存取層（MAC）協定之下，做訊框交換的功能，最常見的是 Ethernet Switch （如第二章介紹）。