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Layer 3 and 4 switches

nounverified· unreviewed·updated Aug 30, 2026

Switches with operating capabilities at layer 3 and layer 4 of the open systems interconnect (OSI) model. These switches look at the incoming packet’s networking protocol, e.g., IP, and then compare the destination IP address to the list of addresses in their tables, to actively calculate the best way to send a packet to its destination.

Framework senses

ISACA Cybersecurity Glossary1 senseview framework →
§1
Switches with operating capabilities at layer 3 and layer 4 of the open systems interconnect (OSI) model. These switches look at the incoming packet’s networking protocol, e.g., IP, and then compare the destination IP address to the list of addresses in their tables, to actively calculate the best way to send a packet to its destination.
Legacy lexicon import1 senseview framework →
§1 · legacy_primary
Switches with operating capabilities at layer 3 and layer 4 of the open systems interconnect (OSI) model. These switches look at the incoming packet’s networking protocol, e.g., IP, and then compare the destination IP address to the list of addresses in their tables, to actively calculate the best way to send a packet to its destination.
DR-088 backfill from the noun definition column