What is the Router Switching Function

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The router is a device that receives a packet from the source on any interface and forwards it to its destination on another interface. This is done by the router switching function, which encapsulates packets in the data link frame type for the outgoing data link.

The router routing function selects the best path for the packet destination, and the router switching function encapsulates the packet into the data link frame of the outgoing interface. The router switching function performs the following: receiving a packet from one network and destined for another.

1. The router receives the Layer 2 encapsulated frame and then de-encapsulates the Layer 2 frame header and trailer.

2. After De-encapsulation, the router reads Layer 3 information and the destination IP address of the IP packet to select the best path in the routing table.

3. When selecting a path for the packet destination, the router encapsulates the Layer 3 packet into a new Layer 2 frame and forwards the frame out of the exit interface.

Figures 1 to Figure 6 illustrate the packet switching over the routed network. As shown in Figure 1, the laptop generates an ICMP message for the server in the topology. The packet contains layer 3 information on the source and destination layer 3 addresses. The source layer 3 address is the address of the laptop, and the destination layer 3 address is the server’s IP address. As a packet travels from the source to the destination, the Layer 3 IP addresses do not change because the Layer 3 PDU does not change.

However, the Layer 2 data link addresses change at every hop as each router de-encapsulates and re-encapsulates the packet in a new Layer 2 frame. In Figure 1, the Layer 3 packet is encapsulated for the wireless access point and forwarded to Layer 2 (the laptop’s wireless card) and then to Layer 1 for transmitting on port 1. The wireless port is virtual, not a physical port.

Encapsulation into a different type of Layer 2 frame than the one commonly used for receiving packets is common. For example, a home router receives a frame from the wireless port and then sends it to router 3 over an Ethernet interface. So, the encapsulation for wireless and Ethernet is different. Also, encapsulation for Fast Ethernet, Giga Ethernet, and serial interfaces is different.

A detailed network diagram is displayed on a laptop, showing the connection between a server, three routers, a wireless router, and a laptop, with specific IP addresses and PDU (Protocol Data Unit) information highlighting the communication path and network troubleshooting. #Router Switching Function

Figure 2 illustrates that the home router receives layer 2 packets in the shape of bits from layer 1 and then de-encapsulates the packet to read layer 3 information. When reading the source and destination, the router selects the proper outgoing interface, again encapsulates the packet, and sends it to Layer 2 and then to Layer 1.

Network diagram showing a connection from a server (IP 192.168.3.2) through three routers to a wireless router, ending at a laptop (IP 192.168.0.1). PDU information displayed for the wireless router, detailing data packet flow.

Notice the source and destination MAC addresses and IP addresses, first on the home router and then on all the routers. The source and destination MAC addresses change at each router, but the IP address does not.

A network diagram showing a server (IP 192.168.3.2) connected to three routers, and then to a wireless router (IP 192.168.0.1) which is connected to a laptop. The PDU information at Router0 displays inbound and outbound packets, detailing the IP and Ethernet headers as well as the ports used for transmission and reception.

Also, notice in Figure 3 and Figure 4 that the ports between Router3 and Router2 have no MAC addresses in the frame. This is a serial link, and MAC addresses are only required on multi-access networks, such as Ethernet. A serial link is a point-to-point connection and uses a different Layer 2 frame that does not require the MAC address.

Network diagram showing the connection between a server, three routers, a wireless router, and a laptop. The PDU information at Router1 displays details about inbound and outbound packets, including IP headers, Ethernet II headers, and HDLC frames, emphasizing data packet routing and processing through the network.

For example, when Ethernet frames destined for Server0 are received on Router3 from the Fa0/0 interface, they are de-encapsulated and then re-encapsulated for the serial interface. When Router2 receives the frame, it is de-encapsulated again and then re-encapsulated into an Ethernet frame with a destination MAC address.

Network diagram showing the connection between a server, three routers, a wireless router, and a laptop. PDU (Protocol Data Unit) details are displayed at Router2, illustrating inbound and outbound data packet information, including IP addresses, Ethernet headers, and ports used.
Network diagram showing the connection between Server0, Router2, Router1, Wireless Router0, and Laptop1. The PDU information at Server0 shows OSI model details for inbound and outbound packets, including IP addresses and Ethernet headers.

The table below better summarizes the process of sending a packet from Laptop 1 to server 0. You can see the packet source IP, MAC address, Destination IP, and MAC address.

Notice that the source and destination IP addresses do not change until the packet reaches the final destination. However, the source and destination MAC addresses change for each hop. At stage 11th, when the server responds to Laptop 1, the source and destination addresses change accordingly because now server 0 sends a reply message to Laptop 1. So, this time, the source is server 0.

FAQs:

Q1: What is the primary function of a router’s switching capability?

A1: The primary function of a router’s switching capability is to forward packets between different networks or network segments.

Q2: What is Layer 2 switching?

A2: Layer 2 switching, or data link layer switching, is forwarding packets based on MAC (Media Access Control) addresses.

Q3: What is Layer 3 switching?

A3: Layer 3 switching, or network layer switching, is forwarding packets based on IP addresses.

Q4: How does a router’s switching function improve network performance?

A4: A router’s switching function improves network performance by increasing packet-forwarding speed, reducing latency, and optimizing network traffic.

Q5: What is the difference between a router and a switch?

A5: A router connects multiple networks and routes traffic between them, while a switch connects multiple devices within a network and forwards packets based on MAC addresses.

Q6: What are some benefits of Layer 3 switching in a router?

A6: Benefits of using Layer 3 switching in a router include improved network segmentation, increased security, and better traffic management.

Q7: Can a router perform both Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching?

A7: Yes, most modern routers can switch between Layer 2 and 3 depending on the network configuration and requirements.

Q8: How does a router determine where to forward packets?

A8: A router determines where to forward packets based on its routing table, which contains information about network addresses, subnet masks, and gateway addresses.

Q9: What is the role of ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) in router switching?

A9: ARP resolves IP addresses to MAC addresses, allowing the router to forward packets to the correct device on a network.

Q10: Are all routers capable of Layer 3 switching?

A10: No, not all routers are capable of Layer 3 switching. Some basic or older routers may only support Layer 2 switching.

Q11: What is a Protocol Data Unit (PDU)? 

A11: A PDU is a data packet formatted for transmission across a network. It contains IP addresses, Ethernet headers, and other protocol-specific details necessary for data routing and processing.