Layer switches help?

[explosivepastry]

Not sure if this the right thread but ill ask here anyway. Can anyone give me a quick summary on Layer 1,2, and 3 switches? Thanks!

 

[jsmithepa]

There are no layer1 switches.
Layer 2 understands MAC, he can make decisions based on MAC only.
Layer 3 understands IP, he can make decisions based on IP as well as MAC. A Layer 3 switch is automatically also layer 2 capable.

For comprehensive understanding of the subject, WIKI OSI MODEL.

 

[explosivepastry]

hey jsmithepa ill pick your answer as the solution in a minute but i do have one question. ive been searching around for a bit and some people say that the layer one switch is the physical switch. is that true?

 

[jsmithepa]

Layer 1 refers to the physical media. In the case of ethernet, it's talking about the RJ45, the CAT cable. Now I suppose if you use your hand to unplug a cable from a port, and re-plug it into another port, you can call that switching, but in the world of networking, whenever we say a SWITCH, we often are talking about a ethernet SWITCH, and my communication will stick to that definition. There are also telephony switches but that's for, surprise!, landline application.