An enterprise network engineer is reviewing the functional boundaries of network components deployed at a branch office. The topology includes Layer 2 access switches, a Layer 3 distribution switch acting as the Inter-VLAN routing gateway, and a perimeter router. Which two functions are performed by Layer 3 switches or routers, but are NOT supported on standard Layer 2 switches? (Choose two.)
- Forwarding traffic between different IPv4 subnets using IP header destination addressesAnswer
- Containing broadcast traffic to specific VLANs by acting as default gateways for routed subnetsAnswer
- CDividing the physical network into separate collision domains on a per-port basis
- DProviding bare-metal Type 1 hypervisor hosting capabilities to run virtual endpoints directly inside hardware switch ASICs
Answer
The functions performed exclusively by Layer 3 switches or routers are forwarding traffic between different IPv4 subnets based on destination IP addresses and containing broadcast domains by acting as default gateways.
Layer 3 switches and routers operate at Layer 3 of the OSI model, allowing them to inspect destination IP addresses to route packets between distinct subnets and restrict broadcast traffic from crossing subnets. Standard Layer 2 switches only forward frames within a single VLAN based on Layer 2 MAC addresses.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Distinguishing Layer 2 switching capabilities (MAC addressing, collision domain segmentation) from Layer 3 routing capabilities (IP addressing, inter-subnet forwarding, broadcast domain segmentation).
Estimated Time:1m 30s