Internet Protocol Switching (IP Switching)

Last Updated: August 18, 2011

Definition - What does Internet Protocol Switching (IP Switching) mean?

Internetp Protocol switching, far more commonly referrred to as IP Switching, is a routing technique which routes data packets faster than traditional routing by using Layer 3 Switches.

IP Switching is performed by implementing Layer 3 switches which employ Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) hardware and transferring via Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) Switches. This speeds up the whole routing process. IP Switching establishes a virtual circuit in ATM switches whenever it needs to route packets that are high priority or packets that are destined for an external network.

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Techopedia explains Internet Protocol Switching (IP Switching)

IP Switching is also known as multi layer switching because it performs Layer 3 based routing as well as Layer 2 switching.

IP Switching is a methodology for routing data packets over the network that does the following:

Routes data packets as typical routers do and employs switching mechanisms for the rapid transfer of data.
Examines the data packet/frame using the IP Switching mechanism and than forwards it using Layer 2 switching techniques.
Uses Ipsilon Flow Management Protocol (IFMP) for flow management.
Employs the rapid data scanning and retrieving abilities of an ATM switch.

All of these result in efficient and faster routing technique.