I found this:
http://gcti.com/lan-switching-layer-2-layer-3-light-layer-3/
https://community.hpe.com/t5/Comware-Based/network-deployment/m-p/5587709/highlight/true#M3008
It looks like L3 lite = L2 + static routing. There seems to be some discrepancy over whether it also includes VLAN and RIP support or not. So it sounds more like a marketing term than anything else, and as such actual features vary from device to device.
I explained in another thread, that was related to an enterprise LAN in a home article somewhere here in SNB.Using HPE hardware examples, an "L3 Lite" switch would be a 1920S, whereas a full L3 model would be a 2540. Compare their feature sets in-depth and I think you'll ascertain the differences along the lines of @ColinTaylor's links.
So I am thinking my original thinking is correct. A layer 3 switch routes at layer 3 and supports IP routing protocols. A layer 3 switch light routes at layer 3 and only supports static based routing. But either layer 3 switch can fully function without a router.
I am thinking my Cisco SG300-28 is a layer 3 light switch since it only has static routing. It has full blown ACL support.
My Cisco SG-500X-24 is a layer 3 switch which has 10 gig support and full blown ACL support. The big thing is the SG-500x-28 switch supports IP routing protocols. It generates a lot more heat and noise.
GS-108t - this is a Layer 3 switch, it can do everything that the others can do, plus it can also manage traffic across different sub-networks on the same LAN, including some light duty routing for Layer 3 and the upper layers across different subnetworks
Note however - the GS-108T, many, including myself, consider this a light managed Layer 3 switch - mostly because it doesn't manage the IP addressing of the clients on the different sub-networks - that being said, it's layer 3, and in the case of the GS-108T line, it assumes that upstream handles that.
doesnt have to be static routes only, as i mentioned, dynamic routing protocols like BGP can be supported too, plenty of things but at the minimum supports static routing.So I am thinking my original thinking is correct. A layer 3 switch routes at layer 3 and supports IP routing protocols. A layer 3 switch light routes at layer 3 and only supports static based routing. But either layer 3 switch can fully function without a router.
I am thinking my Cisco SG300-28 is a layer 3 light switch since it only has static routing. It has full blown ACL support.
My Cisco SG-500X-24 is a layer 3 switch which has 10 gig support and full blown ACL support. The big thing is the SG-500x-28 switch supports IP routing protocols. It generates a lot more heat and noise.
doesnt have to be static routes only, as i mentioned, dynamic routing protocols like BGP can be supported too, plenty of things but at the minimum supports static routing.
Note however - the GS-108T, many, including myself, consider this a light managed Layer 3 switch - mostly because it doesn't manage the IP addressing of the clients on the different sub-networks - that being said, it's layer 3, and in the case of the GS-108T line, it assumes that upstream handles that.
- GS-108t - this is a Layer 3 switch, it can do everything that the others can do, plus it can also manage traffic across different sub-networks on the same LAN, including some light duty routing for Layer 3 and the upper layers across different subnetworks
A layer 3 switch and a light (in terms of features and duty) are 2 very very different things. One is network layers and protocols, the other being featureset and duty (performance, etc). For instance, you could have a heavy duty switch that features a massive heatsink and fan that can operate in direct sunlight in the desert without any additional cooling, you could have a switch made for homes with features that are more towards basic use, excluding ACLs, some routing stuff and so on. A layer 3 switch with static or dynamic routing is still a layer 3 switch. So i would not say a light layer 3 switch, rather you can say a light duty layer 3 switch, or a semi managed layer 3 switch .What I am saying if the layer 3 switch supports routing dynamic protocols then it is a layer 3 switch. It does not matter which routing protocols. Some routing protocols are Cisco proprietary so will not be in other vendors switches.
If a layer 3 switch does not support dynamic routing protocols then it is a light layer 3 switch.
The problem is that the features of the firmware are locked, so i dont know how one would argue whether it be false advertising or not. Firmware is one thing but the switch fabric and hardware also must support it or you could expect some very poor performance.I just figured I would yank some chains here - as this is a bit of a sensitive topic...
@System Error Message @coxhaus @umarmung
The GS-108T is a fine Layer 2 switch with the WebGUI usage - it does have some layer 3 oriented features, and is a great managed switch for most LAN's that SNB would be focused on. It's does some nice VLAN routing at L2, can do groups and ACL, and of course, stats - nice that it has some layer 3 with IGMP stuff out of the box.
Get under the hood and into eCos you'll find it's very capable firmware - there is actually full Layer 3 functionality there, but this isn't exposed without a fair amount of hacking - this is why it's never a good idea to put one on to the internet directly...
The problem is that the features of the firmware are locked, so i dont know how one would argue whether it be false advertising or not. Firmware is one thing but the switch fabric and hardware also must support it or you could expect some very poor performance.
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