3Com SuperStack II 3300, User Manual

Page: 13 / 172

1
I
NTRODUCING
T
HE
L
AYER
3
M
ODULE
This chapter provides a brief overview of the SuperStack
®
II Switch
Layer 3 Module, and looks at how it handles routing functionality. It
contains the following sections:
■
About the Layer 3 Module
■
Layer 3 Module Software Features Explained
About the Layer 3
Module
The SuperStack II Switch Layer 3 Module is an expansion module which
slots into the SuperStack II Switch 1100 and 3300 family. It provides a
Layer 3 switching function between
Virtual LANs ( VLANs ), without
resorting to external routers.
If your Switch does not already have version 2.4 or later of the Switch
software installed, you
must upgrade the Switch software before
installing the Layer 3 Module. See “Upgrading Software” on page 28 for
more information about upgrading the Switch software.
Summary of
Hardware Features
The Layer 3 Module has the following hardware features:
■
Layer 3 switch capability within the stack
■
Hardware support for Layer 3 switching
Summary of Software
Features
The Layer 3 Module has the following software features:
■
IPv4 unicast routing
■
IPv4 multicast routing
■
Static routes
■
Support for the following protocols:
■
Routing Information Protocol (RIP)
■
Open Shortest Path First Protocol (OSPF)