Specifications

HP ProCurve Switch Overview
Rev. 9.41 Module 1 – 11
Layer 2 and layer 3 switches
Switches can also be categorized based on their ability to forward traffic at the Data
Link or the Network Layer of the OSI model. Layer 2 switches can forward traffic
based on the frame’s Data Link Layer information—specifically the MAC address. In
addition to this capability, layer 3 switches can forward traffic based on Network
Layer information—such as the IP address and the associated IP route.
You will learn more about both processes in the next two modules.
Definitions
 Application layer — The Application layer defines how applications access
network services.
 Presentation layer — The Presentation layer translates the data from the lower
layers to the format that can be used by the Application layer.
 Session layer — The Session layer defines the process of establishing,
maintaining, and terminating a session (a two-way communication) between two
applications.
 Transport layer — The Transport layer ensures the reliable transfer of data
between the hosts. It provides flow control, error checking, and data recovery.
 Network layer — The Network layer is primarily responsible for logical
addressing and the routing of traffic across internetworks.
 Data Link layer — The Data Link layer describes the procedures (called
protocols) that control data transfer across the physical infrastructure at layer
one.
 Physical layer — The Physical layer controls the physical medium defining the
electrical and mechanical specifications for the network connections.
 Routing protocol — Routing protocol allows routers and routing switches to
continually exchange information about the available paths on a network.
 IP Static Routes — Network administrators manually enter a static route to
provide the path to a specific network.
For HP Internal Use Only