Layer 2 fiber switch

A Layer 2 fabric switch, also called a managed fabric switch, is a network switch that operates at the data link layer (Layer 2) of the OSI model. These switches are specifically designed to efficiently handle and route network traffic within a local area network (LAN) or between LAN segments.

The term "fiber optic" refers to the type of cable used for the connection. Fiber optic cables use optical signals to transmit data, providing higher bandwidth and longer transmission distances than traditional copper cables.

The primary functions of a Layer 2 fiber optic switch typically include:

1. Port density: The number of fiber optic ports available on the switch.

2. Speed and capacity: Supports various speeds of 1Gbps, 10Gbps, 40Gbps or even higher.

3. Management functions: Managed switches provide VLAN support, Quality of Service (QoS), port mirroring, Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) and other functions.

4. Security features: access control mechanisms, such as MAC address filtering and port security.

5. Redundancy and resiliency: Supports features such as link aggregation (also known as EtherChannel or Port Trunking) and Rapid Spanning Tree Protocol (RSTP) to ensure network uptime and reliability.

6. Layer 2 protocols: Supports Layer 2 protocols such as Ethernet and VLAN tagging (IEEE 802.1Q).

Layer 2 fiber optic switches are typically used in environments that require high-speed, reliable, and secure communications over fiber optic cabling, such as data centers, enterprise networks, and metropolitan area networks (MANs). They play a vital role in building scalable and efficient network infrastructure.