Riverstone Networks RS 3000 Switch Router Getting Started Guide 2-1
2
INTRODUCTION
The Riverstone RS 3000 provides non-blocking, wire-speed Layer-2 (switching), Layer-3 (routing), and Layer-4
(application) switching. This chapter provides a basic overview of the RS 3000 software and hardware feature set.
Note
For the latest operating software and user documentation, check the
Riverstone Networks web site at www.riverstonenet.com.
2.1
FUNCTIONAL LAYER TERMINOLOGY
This guide, and other RS 3000 documentation, refers to layer-2 (L2), layer-3 (L3), and layer-4 (L4) switching and
routing. These layers are based on the International Standards Organization (ISO) 7-layer reference model. Here
is an example of that model. The RS 3000 operates within the layers that are not shaded. Notice that layer 2 is
divided into a MAC layer, an LLC layer, and an LLC2 layer. The RS 3000 operates at the MAC and LLC layers.
Table 2-1
ISO 7-layer model and RS 3000 capabilities
Layer 7
Application
Layer 6
Presentation
Layer 5
Session
Layer 4
Transport
TCP/UDP - application
Layer 3
Network
IP/IPX - routing
LLC2
Layer 2
LLC
MAC Bridging
Layer 1
Physical
Physical Interfaces
