Love this channel. Ordinarily, these topics are boring and dry. However, your animated videos brings the topics to life, and makes them enjoyable to watch. Thank you!
Like I've said before, I think, this channel deserves a lot more recognition. Even for a non-native english speaker, your videos are really really well explained. Thanks for your effort!
Passed my server+ exam a week ago partially with the help of videos like these. For once I already knew most of the topic of this video which is awesome. Thanks powercert for all your videos, they're always very well explained.
Nice summary. You touched here on the difference between a Layer 3 switch and a router. I think a full 5-10 minute video on this topic would be helpful. Questions might include: Why would I choose one vs. the other? Advantages/disadvantages relative to the other?
There is none. Every device that is called "router" is doing layer 3 routing and forwarding. Back when I was young, the term "switch" really just meant layer 2 and especially to distinguish it from "hub" which didnˋt have a proper forwarding mechanism based on destination MACs but simply forwarded frames to every conncted device. This video muddles the differences quite a bit.
@@broodjenoodles Layer 3 is referring to the Network Layer which is very commonly the IP layer in most networks and forwarding IP packets is what has been called "routing" since the dawn of time because Layer 3 is the first layer where you actually can have multi-hop routes that require determining the actual path through the network, hence the name Network Layer. Layer 2 is point-to-point only. NATing is basically just a hack to solve the limited 32bit IP address range in IPv4. Even if a router doesn't support it, it's still a router as it handles Layer 3 traffic.
Thanks for the detailed and graphical overview. Although I professionally develop an embedded IP stack for years, I have never bothered to look this terminology up as most customers wouldn't understand what we are talking about in support. Besides learning this back in school I have never bothered keeping the OSI model in mind as it becomes pretty irrelevant once you go hands-on with network setups. Also I always used a slightly different terminology (but basically the same): Ethernet (Hub) = Dumb "Switch". Switch (aka Layer 2 Switch) = Forwarding packets based on MAC-Address cache. Managed Switch (aka Layer 3 Switch) = Support for protocols that sit directly above/behind the Ethernet header. Router = Basically a managed switch with even more features like a firewall or packet inspection.
For those new to networking, you may hear the following terms describing these switches: Layer 2 Switch: -Unmanaged -Plug n Play -Dumb Switch Layer 3 Switch: -Managed -Smart Switch -Multi Layer
The way you explain topics in such a easy to comprehend manner is second to none, you should write a book! You have helped me tremendously in my journey in the IT world, thank you 🙏🏻
Incredibly helpful and informative video, as always! I’ve referenced your videos so many times over the years and it’s great to see that you are still making them. Thank you so much for your service to the community.
In my IT career with more than 20 years I think this is the most simplest way which explained that any one can understand the most interesting part is your graphical representation which takes me 20 years back nostalgia😊
My homeschooled middle schoolers are going through each of your 90+ videos and writing reports on them. Thanks for the resource and breaking it down so anyone can understand.
Great video, thanks for clearing this distinction up. I have heard of the two types of switches at work but never understood the final details. My only question (or critique) would be if you extended the comparison table at the end to compare the difference between a Layer 3 switch and a Router. You mentioned that Layer 3 switches can't do everything that a router does, so cliffhanger!! Plus it would make for a good review of what exactly a router does. Thanks
I think the problem is to exactly specify what a "router" is or does. In my opinion a router is basically a "managed switch" aka "layer 3 switch" with even more features like a firewall or packet inspection for example.
Love the way this is broken down and only the most useful information is presented. It's so much easier to understand the details. Thank you kind sir 🙏
I had an epiphany watching this video. Years of knowledge suddenly fit together like a puzzle for me.Seriously. Subnetting and masks make sense after watching this along with VLANS and I’ve been to school and have certs because I was able to regurgitate facts I had memorized about networking never truly understanding how it all fit together.
And if you ever have to buy one or another you can also use the widespread terminology of a "dumb/simple" switch aka layer 2 and managed switch aka layer 3.
Depending on what you try to achieve and how big your network gets you might still consider going for a L3 switch aka managed switch. A good managed switch not only provides the ability to VLAN segment your network but might also help to keep traffic away from devices to whom some packets are irrelevant to, e.g. by having IGMP snooping (only sending multicast packets to devices that have advertised to the switch that they want this specific traffic). Todays software and hardware tools often use broadcast and multicast to find each other on a network or even to communicate one device to multiple listeners. On a L2 switch this traffic gets blasted out to all ports nevertheless. I had an IP-TV box that used multicast as protocol and was spamming my whole network until the cheap L2 switches I had shut down and had to be rebooted by pulling the power cord. These "wild" packets can also have an impact on (gaming) network latency. Also noteworthy is that each packet basically needs to be processed by your PC. You can see how much impact this has by flooding a PC with packets and seeing the CPU utilization going up quite a bit. TL;DR; I ended up with investing in a good L3 switch as my central switch (where the IP-TV box is directly connected to) as a kind of network-cleaner with L2 switches for further connections in other rooms.
One runs an iOS and the other doesn't. The router has way more security options; port configurability and supports services like port forwarding and DHCP and is designed to sit between the internet and your local LAN. I've never seen the point of an L3 switch because there are cheaper ways to securely configure subnets just a using router and l2 switches or hubs....connecting two subnets at the switch level is a pretty niche application.
@@TurboLoveTrain I appreciate you taking the time to provide the info. I actually just meant it would be a useful addition to the series. I use multilayer switches quite a bit in cybersec where high bandwidth, low latency throughput is important, and routers just don't fit the bill. Admittedly a niche application, as you mentioned, but these videos are very handy for training some of the younger guys.
@@MacroAggressor You're right and thanks for the clarification and feedback. It would probably be good to go into the security issues associated with using this switch in place of a router as well. I can see people being tempted to use these in applications that obligate more security than these can provide. Doctors offices (HIPA) and (I think, it's been awhile) Lawyers offices come to mind where there are federal security mandates in place for user data protection.
@@TurboLoveTrain Fair point, although I imagine if someone doesn't know to keep these behind good edge infrastructure then device selection is probably the least of their problems.
You dissected this so well, kudos. When it comes to L2, I would say that Mode Network is set apart. Their immediate goal is to establish a robust foundation for a leading Layer 2 platform.
Excellent presentation and graphics / animations as always. About the layer 3 switches and vlans. Well if you create them on the switch, router (cause there is always a router involved), has to be aware as well. Except for every vlan you configure a dhcp server on the switch is created as well. Else all vlans need to be configured from the router / firewall side also, in order for both network devices (router - switch) to be aware of that configuration. Then there are the ports and tagging configuration. At that part, I think you let it hanging on the air a bit.
As always accurate in a few minutes of video. Beautiful! I’ll tell you, you could also make it slightly longer and make them more complete but also like this is perfect
Another video that just makes so much sense!!! I'm studying for my Network + at the moment and absolutely love your videos, as they helped me with my 1101/1102 A+.
By the way - consider making a video on port isolation too - that could be useful knowledge too. As an example clients on a network shouldn't normally be able to have intercommunication. That way you could make it harder for an intruder to penetrate workstations. It might not help protecting the servers, they have to be protected by other means. If you have port isolation between clients and have the servers on a different subnet with firewall protection of the clients so that infected servers can't reach the clients then you have an improved technical solution that could create a stronger protection against ransomware worms. I hope that I'm not too complex now though.
Great video. One small correction: high end enterprise and service provider switches can have routing functionality comparable to a dedicated router, but generally you’re right. They’re also eye watering expensive. 🤣
You should create a Network+ or CCNA RUclips courses like this, with all the detailed animation. It’s real helpful. Just an idea 😎 you can be the next Professor Messer.
Passing packets between different IP networks, monitoring and protecing inputs (think firewall), interfacing onto your ISP device (Gateway), acting as your ISP device, etc..etc...yawn...🥱
Layers are an important concept. I learned not so long ago why Wake-on-Lan worked at home, but not under VPN from the outside. If I remember correctly, WOL is on layer 2, VPN is on layer 3 so it's impossible to send this magic package.
This guy is the best guy when it comes to this kind of information, thanks man. very simple and straight to the point no showing off or personal entertainment.
Static routing is supported by almost all the recent Layer 2 switchs, they are sometimes called "Layer 2 Plus" switchs (L2+). Nowadays, what's called "full layer three switch", is a switch that can do dynamic routing (For campus switchs it's mainly OSPF, ...) If you're setting up a new campus network, even the access and distribution switchs should be full layer 3 (no more layer 2 and layer 2+), ...
I have watched all of your videos in one week, thank you, I have decided to begin learning networking, because I am tired of outsourcing other people to do that in my company and then that people didnt gave me access to my routers. Do you have more complex lectures on your members channel or do you know any beginner friendly literature for more complex networking?
It would be nice to explain how and where L3 switches should be used. Because, in most cases, routers can do their job in a router-on-a-stick topology.
I'm a friend of calling layer 3 just "routers" and leave the term "switch" to layer 2. Avoids so much confusion tbh. You also made it look that VLANs and IP subnets are the same thing which is not true. You don't need VLANs to communicate between IP subnets, they are really different things.
If you have separate VLANs why open up communication or why not just put them in the same VLAN? Wouldn't this be a security vulnerability, removing any benefits of separating them into their own VLAN?
A nice example, however I'd consider that the example more should be to separate access point connected clients from wired clients to limit the amount of wired traffic (network broadcasts and ARP requests) over wireless. You want to keep down the amount of unnecessary traffic on wireless since the bandwidth on wireless on a large plant is limited. Of course even segmenting the wired net would make sense to cut down the amount of noise eating into the backbone performance on a large site.
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Very clear explanation, thank you!
Love this channel. Ordinarily, these topics are boring and dry. However, your animated videos brings the topics to life, and makes them enjoyable to watch. Thank you!
Glad you like them!
Agree
100% correct, and explained and animated in a way that even kids can understand.
True‼️‼️
100% true. This channel help me a lot
Like I've said before, I think, this channel deserves a lot more recognition. Even for a non-native english speaker, your videos are really really well explained. Thanks for your effort!
Thanks! 😃
Yesss! So well explained!
The channel gets attention in gay forums. This man is well known in the lgbtq community and is widely recognized as a trail blazer.
Passed my server+ exam a week ago partially with the help of videos like these. For once I already knew most of the topic of this video which is awesome. Thanks powercert for all your videos, they're always very well explained.
Great to hear!
If only school would teach it this easy
My apprenticeship school in Germany pretty much did teach me this in the same way. I liked it a lot
You're assuming public schools in the US are actually schools and not government indoctrination centers.
Dr Chris Tubb of University of South Wales did. Top lecturer
This is easy because its too low level to be useful lol
Nice summary. You touched here on the difference between a Layer 3 switch and a router. I think a full 5-10 minute video on this topic would be helpful. Questions might include: Why would I choose one vs. the other? Advantages/disadvantages relative to the other?
yes
There is none. Every device that is called "router" is doing layer 3 routing and forwarding. Back when I was young, the term "switch" really just meant layer 2 and especially to distinguish it from "hub" which didnˋt have a proper forwarding mechanism based on destination MACs but simply forwarded frames to every conncted device.
This video muddles the differences quite a bit.
@@Asto508layer 3 switch is not a router... It doesnt support natting I thought
@@broodjenoodles Layer 3 is referring to the Network Layer which is very commonly the IP layer in most networks and forwarding IP packets is what has been called "routing" since the dawn of time because Layer 3 is the first layer where you actually can have multi-hop routes that require determining the actual path through the network, hence the name Network Layer. Layer 2 is point-to-point only. NATing is basically just a hack to solve the limited 32bit IP address range in IPv4. Even if a router doesn't support it, it's still a router as it handles Layer 3 traffic.
@@Asto508 if you call everything that gives out dhpc leases a router...
You simply explained L2 vs L3 switches in a SO easy, precise, and short way. Thanks.
As always, excellent and thank you. Man, I wish I had these videos 20 years ago when I was starting my IT career.
Thanks for the detailed and graphical overview.
Although I professionally develop an embedded IP stack for years, I have never bothered to look this terminology up as most customers wouldn't understand what we are talking about in support. Besides learning this back in school I have never bothered keeping the OSI model in mind as it becomes pretty irrelevant once you go hands-on with network setups.
Also I always used a slightly different terminology (but basically the same):
Ethernet (Hub) = Dumb "Switch".
Switch (aka Layer 2 Switch) = Forwarding packets based on MAC-Address cache.
Managed Switch (aka Layer 3 Switch) = Support for protocols that sit directly above/behind the Ethernet header.
Router = Basically a managed switch with even more features like a firewall or packet inspection.
For those new to networking, you may hear the following terms describing these switches:
Layer 2 Switch:
-Unmanaged
-Plug n Play
-Dumb Switch
Layer 3 Switch:
-Managed
-Smart Switch
-Multi Layer
The way you explain topics in such a easy to comprehend manner is second to none, you should write a book! You have helped me tremendously in my journey in the IT world, thank you 🙏🏻
Incredibly helpful and informative video, as always! I’ve referenced your videos so many times over the years and it’s great to see that you are still making them. Thank you so much for your service to the community.
Glad you like them!
In my IT career with more than 20 years I think this is the most simplest way which explained that any one can understand the most interesting part is your graphical representation which takes me 20 years back nostalgia😊
I could never understand these topics, until I found your channel.. THANKS!✊
My homeschooled middle schoolers are going through each of your 90+ videos and writing reports on them. Thanks for the resource and breaking it down so anyone can understand.
Happy to help!
Best video about this topic I have seen so far. Clear, short and concrete.
Best IT videos on the internet! The simple visualizations make understanding the topics so much easier. Thanks :)
I hope you never stop making videos! They are so helpful!
Great video, thanks for clearing this distinction up. I have heard of the two types of switches at work but never understood the final details. My only question (or critique) would be if you extended the comparison table at the end to compare the difference between a Layer 3 switch and a Router. You mentioned that Layer 3 switches can't do everything that a router does, so cliffhanger!! Plus it would make for a good review of what exactly a router does. Thanks
I think the problem is to exactly specify what a "router" is or does. In my opinion a router is basically a "managed switch" aka "layer 3 switch" with even more features like a firewall or packet inspection for example.
Love the way this is broken down and only the most useful information is presented. It's so much easier to understand the details. Thank you kind sir 🙏
This is the only video that explained everything simply and clearly despite the fact that before this was watched about 5 videos .
Attending a meeting so muted the volume on this video and still understood what was been shown. The animations are amazing. Thank you
Man you do such a great job of simplifying these technologies! Your content should be mandatory learning in most Networking and IT courses
Superfast method to learn about these topics.....hats off you sir for your hard work
Babe wake up, powercert just uploaded
I love this channel. It short, simple , well animated and not overwhelming. Well done 👍
Extraordinarily great video. Simple subject but concise, short and with the visualization it is easy to follow. Thank you for your effort.
What a simple way to explain something that could be complicated! Just like resuming a 100 pages book in 10.
You make it so easy to digest. I don't know if it's your animations, voice, or what. Just keep the videos coming. Best IT learning series.
This is the best channel to learn IT I've ever seen by far. Can understand absolutely anything the way you explain stuff in your videos.
I learned this 20 years ago at uni, thanks for this super nice refresher
I've learned something new today, without getting bored! 5 stars deserved sir 👍🏾
I know nothing about networking but I stayed and watched the whole thing cause it was just that well made
The first channel that nobody comes on screen and bloat a ton of bs before revealing bit of information.
I had an epiphany watching this video. Years of knowledge suddenly fit together like a puzzle for me.Seriously. Subnetting and masks make sense after watching this along with VLANS and I’ve been to school and have certs because I was able to regurgitate facts I had memorized about networking never truly understanding how it all fit together.
I'm now an official member of this wonderful channel. Thank you so for the intel. You have helped me out tremendously.
Thank you for the basic understanding between layer 2 & layer 3 switches.... Very useful for the beginners.
And if you ever have to buy one or another you can also use the widespread terminology of a "dumb/simple" switch aka layer 2 and managed switch aka layer 3.
Absolutely excellent video! Really well done. Great explanation of Layer 3 switching. Best I've seen so far.
This is the networking crash course gold mine I've been looking for
Very well explained and animated. Amazing production value
Much appreciated!
Superb! You helped me saving money. I was going to buy a L3 switch. Now, thanks to you, it's unnecessary! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Depending on what you try to achieve and how big your network gets you might still consider going for a L3 switch aka managed switch.
A good managed switch not only provides the ability to VLAN segment your network but might also help to keep traffic away from devices to whom some packets are irrelevant to, e.g. by having IGMP snooping (only sending multicast packets to devices that have advertised to the switch that they want this specific traffic).
Todays software and hardware tools often use broadcast and multicast to find each other on a network or even to communicate one device to multiple listeners. On a L2 switch this traffic gets blasted out to all ports nevertheless.
I had an IP-TV box that used multicast as protocol and was spamming my whole network until the cheap L2 switches I had shut down and had to be rebooted by pulling the power cord.
These "wild" packets can also have an impact on (gaming) network latency. Also noteworthy is that each packet basically needs to be processed by your PC. You can see how much impact this has by flooding a PC with packets and seeing the CPU utilization going up quite a bit.
TL;DR;
I ended up with investing in a good L3 switch as my central switch (where the IP-TV box is directly connected to) as a kind of network-cleaner with L2 switches for further connections in other rooms.
A good L3 Switch vs Router video would be useful as well.
One runs an iOS and the other doesn't. The router has way more security options; port configurability and supports services like port forwarding and DHCP and is designed to sit between the internet and your local LAN. I've never seen the point of an L3 switch because there are cheaper ways to securely configure subnets just a using router and l2 switches or hubs....connecting two subnets at the switch level is a pretty niche application.
@@TurboLoveTrain I appreciate you taking the time to provide the info. I actually just meant it would be a useful addition to the series. I use multilayer switches quite a bit in cybersec where high bandwidth, low latency throughput is important, and routers just don't fit the bill. Admittedly a niche application, as you mentioned, but these videos are very handy for training some of the younger guys.
@@MacroAggressor You're right and thanks for the clarification and feedback.
It would probably be good to go into the security issues associated with using this switch in place of a router as well. I can see people being tempted to use these in applications that obligate more security than these can provide. Doctors offices (HIPA) and (I think, it's been awhile) Lawyers offices come to mind where there are federal security mandates in place for user data protection.
@@TurboLoveTrain Fair point, although I imagine if someone doesn't know to keep these behind good edge infrastructure then device selection is probably the least of their problems.
You dissected this so well, kudos.
When it comes to L2, I would say that Mode Network is set apart.
Their immediate goal is to establish a robust foundation for a leading Layer 2 platform.
An easy and simple Explanation with attractive animations
Awesome way of explaining networks.
Excellent presentation and graphics / animations as always.
About the layer 3 switches and vlans. Well if you create them on the switch, router (cause there is always a router involved), has to be aware as well. Except for every vlan you configure a dhcp server on the switch is created as well. Else all vlans need to be configured from the router / firewall side also, in order for both network devices (router - switch) to be aware of that configuration. Then there are the ports and tagging configuration. At that part, I think you let it hanging on the air a bit.
As always accurate in a few minutes of video. Beautiful! I’ll tell you, you could also make it slightly longer and make them more complete but also like this is perfect
Great video and simple explanation. Brings back memories from myold CCNP days.
Love the content. Been waiting for new videos. One of the best visual education on RUclips!!
last time i seen this channel only have 100k subs, now it have 1.4m just a couple years, amazing!
You have a gift my friend. So easy to understand with your explanations. 🎉
Another video that just makes so much sense!!! I'm studying for my Network + at the moment and absolutely love your videos, as they helped me with my 1101/1102 A+.
You have a talent to explain complex stuff!!!
cheaper and faster, that's all I was here for, cheers for the breakdown
By the way - consider making a video on port isolation too - that could be useful knowledge too. As an example clients on a network shouldn't normally be able to have intercommunication. That way you could make it harder for an intruder to penetrate workstations. It might not help protecting the servers, they have to be protected by other means.
If you have port isolation between clients and have the servers on a different subnet with firewall protection of the clients so that infected servers can't reach the clients then you have an improved technical solution that could create a stronger protection against ransomware worms.
I hope that I'm not too complex now though.
I love this channel. Whenever I break through into cyber. I'm definitely donating. Sir, you make the boring, fun.
Great tutorial, thank you for sharing the knowledge. I really love how simple and demonstrative your explanation is.
Great video. One small correction: high end enterprise and service provider switches can have routing functionality comparable to a dedicated router, but generally you’re right. They’re also eye watering expensive. 🤣
Fantastic overview with excellent visuals to illustrate the concepts.
You should create a Network+ or CCNA RUclips courses like this, with all the detailed animation. It’s real helpful. Just an idea 😎 you can be the next Professor Messer.
Always interesting stuff on this channel.
this is my favorite channel man thanks for the content
Great video. Now you got me interested on what the capabilities Routers have that Layer 3 Switches don't.
Passing packets between different IP networks, monitoring and protecing inputs (think firewall), interfacing onto your ISP device (Gateway), acting as your ISP device, etc..etc...yawn...🥱
This vid made me realize I have two switches that are around 20 years old. They still work. Oh yeah, new subscriber for you.
You needed to much time and words for this simple explanation
Your videos are amazing and I'm so thankful they're provided for free. Thanks!
Layers are an important concept. I learned not so long ago why Wake-on-Lan worked at home, but not under VPN from the outside. If I remember correctly, WOL is on layer 2, VPN is on layer 3 so it's impossible to send this magic package.
Thanks for a very simple and great explanation with animation. Helps a looooooottttt!!!!!
This guy is the best guy when it comes to this kind of information, thanks man. very simple and straight to the point no showing off or personal entertainment.
I learn a lot from you thank you so much
The only problem with these videos are making addiction and the release frequency never enough :) Thank you sir.
Static routing is supported by almost all the recent Layer 2 switchs, they are sometimes called "Layer 2 Plus" switchs (L2+).
Nowadays, what's called "full layer three switch", is a switch that can do dynamic routing (For campus switchs it's mainly OSPF, ...)
If you're setting up a new campus network, even the access and distribution switchs should be full layer 3 (no more layer 2 and layer 2+), ...
Protect this channel at all cost guys!
Thank you for a nice and clean language with a powerful representation of this subject. I liked and subscribed.
As always, your video is very informative. Thank you for continuing on producing these kind of contents.
This takes me back to my networking days! 🎊
Very good quality explanation; very adequate and clear animations, I love it.. subbed, upvoted and shared!
I would say switches don’t create networks. They create bridge domains. Routers create networks.
Crystal clear explanation brother.
Your'e the best IT teacher ever. Can you do one video about BGP protocol? Thank you for your service
Love this channel! Better explained... Impossible!
Thank you so much for these videos! You explain confusing concepts in 10 minutes SO MUCH better than my $8k college classes can in 3 hours
would love to see an animation and description on how that works with stacked Layer 3 switches.
Seriouly I love this video and my concept confussion and concept are cleared. layer2 vs layer3. thankz bro😉🤗👌✌
Thank you for this knowledge. Beautiful video presentation.
Great explanation, with graphics!
I have watched all of your videos in one week, thank you, I have decided to begin learning networking, because I am tired of outsourcing other people to do that in my company and then that people didnt gave me access to my routers. Do you have more complex lectures on your members channel or do you know any beginner friendly literature for more complex networking?
As Nigel Tufnel would say: Layer 3 switch has 1 more. It goes to 3.
Oh my god，u uploaded video when i can still catch on u😂，man ur consistent，keep it up！！
It would be nice to explain how and where L3 switches should be used. Because, in most cases, routers can do their job in a router-on-a-stick topology.
Excellent work. Thank you so much for taking the time.
Oh boy, PowerCert uploaded a new video !
Great channel. watched every sigle video. Keep up the excellent work.
Brilliant. Thank you very much. Could you do a video explaining aggregation switch and why you might need / use one please.
This was a great video. Thanks for the clear explanation
I'm a friend of calling layer 3 just "routers" and leave the term "switch" to layer 2. Avoids so much confusion tbh.
You also made it look that VLANs and IP subnets are the same thing which is not true. You don't need VLANs to communicate between IP subnets, they are really different things.
If you have separate VLANs why open up communication or why not just put them in the same VLAN? Wouldn't this be a security vulnerability, removing any benefits of separating them into their own VLAN?
Sometimes you need inter-VLAN communication.
Best Video about this on RUclips!!!
I really liked this video, great over view
A nice example, however I'd consider that the example more should be to separate access point connected clients from wired clients to limit the amount of wired traffic (network broadcasts and ARP requests) over wireless. You want to keep down the amount of unnecessary traffic on wireless since the bandwidth on wireless on a large plant is limited.
Of course even segmenting the wired net would make sense to cut down the amount of noise eating into the backbone performance on a large site.