Configure WAN interfaces on a Layer 3 switch

Layer 3 switching
From expert Puneet Mehta
Layer 3 (L3) switching refers to a class of high-performance routers optimized for the campus LAN or intranet, providing both wire-speed Ethernet routing and switching services.

An L3 switch router performs the following three major functions:

• Packet switching
• Route processing
• Intelligent network services

On the WAN side
Again, depending on the vendor, an optional Network Services Module (NSM) with a variety of Port Interface Cards (PICs) might be available that will provide WAN connectivity for E1, T1, PRI ISDN, BRI ISDN, asynchronous and synchronous communications, frame relay and X.25. Some of them even provide a L3 IP static routing, RIP, RIPv2, VRRP and OSPFv2 routing protocols. These routing features give the device ability to not only act as a managed Layer 3 switch, but also as a fully-specified router with WAN interfaces and capabilities.

Can an L3 switch be used in a WAN environment?
From WAN optimization expert David Hughes
The answer to this question is very situation and vendor specific. Typically an L3 switch has a smaller feature set than a WAN router. Before using an L3 switch for a WAN application you will need to check the following:

• Does your L3 switch have the physical interfaces you require, such as a T1 with integrated CSU/DSU?
• Does your L3 switch provide all the software features you require?

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