Do switches have serial ports?

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networker050184

What do you think? What L2 protocols are used on serial links? What about on ethernet switches?

webspider

I have no idea. If I had I wouldn't have asked in forums.

networker050184

I was trying to point you in the direction of where to look.

webspider

Ok it is HDLC,PPP,802.3 ,Frame Relay protocols in L2,now what?

Carpe Porcus

Why would you think or need a serial port is required on a switch for what purpose and to what end would you use one?

theodoxa

I haven't seen one. But, it is possible, such an option could exist on higher-end "expandable" or "modular" switches. If Cisco would release a 3560/3750 with a few (1-4) T1 Ports [or make some T1 SFPs], there would be no need for a router ever again. You could just connect your WAN (MPLS, Frame Relay, etc...) right to your Layer 3 Switch. Based on what I've read, I believe this is already possible with MPLS over MetroE (Ethernet).

DirtySouth

Good grief, people. Just answer the guys question unless of course you don't know the answer. OP, I am not aware of any switches that have serial ports like the ones you're probably thinking of. There are layer-3 switches that have routing capabilities like theodoxa mentioned. A traditional layer 2 switch is not going to have a serial port though.

networker050184

DirtySouth wrote: »

Good grief, people. Just answer the guys question unless of course you don't know the answer.

Now come on, that isn't how you help someone learn. Give a man a fish blah blah.....

bbarrick

networker050184 wrote: »

Now come on, that isn't how you help someone learn. Give a man a fish blah blah.....

Unless it's a pufferfish, in which case, he would have no need to learn anymore.

DirtySouth

networker050184 wrote: »

Now come on, that isn't how you help someone learn. Give a man a fish blah blah.....

In most cases, I completely agree with you.

FrankGuthrie

Isn't a (blue) Console cable a serial connection?

theodoxa

FrankGuthrie wrote: »

Isn't a (blue) Console cable a serial connection?

Yes, but probably not the kind the OP was referring to. Its a low-speed Asynchronous? Serial connection which is used for out-of-band management. The main reason for wanting a Synchronous Serial port (e.g. WIC-1T, WIC-1DSU-T1) would be to connect a switch to a Leased Line, Frame Relay, or MPLS (using T1). I think T1 ports would be a nice addition to Layer 3 switches, because they would eliminate the need for a router in many cases.