LAN Switching - Multi-layer Switching (MLS)

Multi-layer Switching (MLS)

Multi-layer switching combines layer 2, 3, and 4 switching technologies and provides high-speed scalability with low latency. It accomplishes this high combination of high-speed scalability with low latency by using huge filter tables based on the criteria designed by the network administrator.

Multi-layer switching can move traffic at wire speed and also provide layer 3 routing, which can remove the bottleneck from the network routers. This technology is based on the idea of "route once, switch many".

Multi-layer switching can make routing/switching decisions based on the following

• MAC source/destination address in a Data Link frame
• IP source/destination address in the Network layer header
• Protocol field in the Network layer header
• Port source/destination numbers in the Transport layer header

There is no performance difference between a layer 3 and a layer 4 switch because the routing/switching is all hardware based.