What's the difference between a router and a Layer 3 switch?
NivSa · posted · 42 views
I keep seeing both mentioned in my studies and they both do routing. When would you use a router vs a Layer 3 switch? Is one faster? Are there features only a router can do? Would love a clear explanation of when to pick each one in a real network design.
- I was confused about this too. The way I think about it — routers connect different networks (like your LAN to the internet), while L3 switches route between VLANs inside the same building. L3 switches use hardware ASICs so they're faster for internal routing, but routers handle WAN features like NAT, VPN, and PPP that switches can't do. — ben31833,
- Don't forget routers handle NAT and WAN protocols that L3 switches usually can't. If you need to connect to the internet or a remote site, you need a router. For inter-VLAN routing inside a campus, a L3 switch is faster and simpler. — 22maya2n2,
- That makes a lot of sense. So basically L3 switch for internal VLAN routing, router for WAN/internet edge. The hardware ASIC part explains why L3 switches feel faster in labs too. Thanks! — NivSa,
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