This week I would like you to investigate the types of switches currently available from network hardware vendors e.g. Cisco. You will be investigating the cost and performance of these switches.

In particular I would like you to construct tables comparing Layer 2 and Layer 3 switches, comparing such items as bandwidth, cost, port latency, port numbers, and also compare the price of cut-through switches against store-and-forward switches.

What do you think the pricing differentials beween Layer 2 and Layer 3 result from?

What can you discover relating to interoperability of hardware between different manufacturers?

You may find some useful information on this week's lecture notes.

Produce a short report that details your investigations and conclusions.

Make sure that you keep this work.