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MANAGED SWITCH BASICS
Before you get started setting up your new Luxul managed switch, it’s helpful to have a basic understanding of a few
advanced networking concepts. In this document, we assume you already understand basic networking. If you don’t, just
visit luxul.com/educational-webinars to view informative webinars on subjects ranging from IP networking basics, wired,
and wireless networking, to advanced topics like remote access and using VLANs for guest network access.
What is a Network Switch?
Fundamentially, a network switch simply connects devices together on a computer network, receiving, processing and
forwarding data from one device to another. Unlike simple network hubs, switches can forward data only to devices that
need to receive it, rather than broadcasting the same data out of each of its ports.
What are “Layers”?
Without going into too much technical detail, “layers” in networking describe standards for different levels of function-
ality and operation.
Layer 1 switches are the most basic, functioning in the “physical layer”, essentially connectjing devices together.
Layer 2 switches work with the “data link layer” and uses hardware to function like a multiport bridge.
Layer 3 switches function in the “network layer” and manage multi-node networks, including addressing, routing and
traffic control. Layer 3 switches are the most capable of the three and offer functionality very similar to a router, but
with more physical ports.
Switches may operate at one or more layers, including the data link and network layers. A device that operates simulta-
neously at more than one of these layers is known as a multilayer switch. The Luxul managed switches covered in this
document are multilayer switches.
Managed Versus Unmanaged
There are two basic types of network switches: managed and unmanaged. Unmanaged switches have no configuration
interface or options and are generally plug-and-play devices. Most unmanaged switches are Layer 1 switches since they
require no configuration.
Managed switches include a full set of management features such as Spanning Tree Protocol or port mirroring, creating
or modifying virtual LANs (VLANs), etc., so are typically Layer 2 or Layer 3 switches. The switches covered in this guide
are Layer 3 managed switches.
Now that you have a basic understanding of what managed switches do, you can get started with configuration.
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