The most obvious difference in function between Layer 3 switches and Layer 2 switches:

Layer 3 switches can do Layer 3 forwarding (interworking across network segments) based on routing.

Layer 2 switches can only do Layer 2 forwarding (forwarding based on the MAC address table, realizing data inter-access in the same network segment), and even if they can be configured with routing, it is only convenient for managing the devices.

In order to meet the needs of different users, the S boxed series of Ethernet switches provide a variety of product forms, which allow users to make flexible choices according to different network requirements.

All models of E600, S100, S200, S1700, S1720, S1730, S2700 are Layer 2 switches.

All models of S300, S500, S600, S3700 are Layer 3 switches.

S5700 series Ethernet switches include S5700-LI, S5700S-LI, S5700-LI-BAT, S5710-LI, S5720-LI, S5720S-LI, S5700-SI, S5720-SI, S5720-SI, S5720S-SI, S5720I-SI, S5730-SI, S5700-EI S5710-EI, S5720-EI, S5730S-EI, S5700-HI, S5710-HI, S5720-HI, S5730-HI, S5731-L, S5731S-L, S5731-S, S5731S-S, S5731-H, S5731-H-K, S5731S-H, S5732-H, S5732-H-K, S5735-L, S5735-L-I, S5735S-L, S5735S-L-M, S5735-L1, S5735S-L1, S5735-S, S5735S-S, S5735S-S, S5735-S-I, S5735S-H, and S5736-S series, of which the S5700- LI, S5700S-LI, S5700-LI-BAT, S5710-LI, S5720-LI, S5720S-LI, S5731-L, S5731S-L, S5735-L, S5735S-L, S5735S-L, S5735S-L-M, S5735-L1, S5735S-L1 series are Layer 2 switches and the rest of the series are Layer 3 switches.

S6700 series Ethernet switches include S6720-LI, S6720S-LI, S6720-SI, S6720S-SI, S6700-EI, S6720-EI, S6720S-EI, S6720-HI, S6730-S, S6730S-S, S6730S-S, S6730S-H, S6730-H-K, S6730-H, S6735-S series, S6720-LI, S6720S-LI series are Layer 2 switches, and the rest of the series are Layer 3 switches.

S7700, S8700, S9700, S12700(E), and S16700 frame switches are Layer 3 switches.