HIP-Series HDMI over IP Extenders
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Types of High Performance Switch
A high performance network switch is the means of a successful HIP-Series setup. When
choosing a network switch, first select the type:
Layer 2 or Layer 3 Switches
You will need to determine whether you need a layer 2 or a layer 3 switch for your HIP-Series
network. Layer 3 switches cost more than layer 2 switches because they are more complex
and handle more network traffic. The best way to calculate which type of switch you need is
to first determine if you will have a dedicated network for the HIP-Series devices or if the
HIP-Series devices will be on a network that shares throughput with other network
equipment such as computers, servers and printers. If they share the network with other
devices its best to consider a layer 3 switch and use layer 2 switches exclusively for the
HIP-Series device connections. For larger installations we recommend using Layer 3 switches.
The major differences are:
• Layer 3 Switch: IP addresses in packets are examined and intelligent forwarding decisions
are made. On a larger network broken into subnets across long distances, a layer 3 switch
becomes the best choice as they can improve network efficiency and provide better traffic
flow. They are better at directing more traffic to different locations on a larger more complex
network, and with layer 2 switches working below them.
