Router which layer working

Server Fault is a question and answer site for system and network administrators. It only takes a minute to sign up. Connect and share knowledge within a single location that is structured and easy to search. I understand that router is in L3. However, as a physical component does it correspond to a component of L1 physical layer?

While as a physical device a router needs to be able to implement all physical L1, data link L2 and network L3, its router functionality is purely L3: it needs to be aware of different networks and how to forward packets between them. As in the end everything consists of physical devices, there wouldn't be any need to categorize devices based on that. More meaningful are the layers of the protocols the device or the software implements.

Likewise, there's often a separate L2 switch component inside consumer level routers. It has no physical components. Router is in L3 network layer which has its IP address, but we can also consider it in L1 physical layer , since it is an object. If some sort of problem occurs, while sending or receiving some data, the prob. But first we prefer to check the prob. Problems can also occur in the physical device itself also rather then the networks.

So it do correspond to a component of layer 1. On current Layer 3 switches, the information received from the routing protocols is used to update the hardware caching tables.

Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Prev NEXT. With computer networks, all of the intelligence is at the intersections -- the Layer 3 devices. All the packet or car in this analogy really knows is where it's coming from and where it wants to go.

The network does the rest. While it's important to have a solid foundation in Layer 1 and Layer 2 technologies, you can build a career on Layer 3 expertise. Don't go short here -- go to some classes, read a bunch of books, and most important -- get some hands-on experience with Layer 3 technologies.

Like I said, Layer 3 can take you places Understanding the OSI Model. The Physical Layer. The Data Link Layer one of my favorites. The Network Layer. Josh Stephens is the founder and CEO of Bearded Dog, an Austin-based strategy consulting and development company, specializing in tech innovation and IT management best practices.

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