Hybrid Versus Native

Anyone who configured a Catalyst switch during the last 10 years encountered the Catalyst OS interface and its series of set, clear, and show commands. Switches running Catalyst OS must rely upon a separate version of Cisco IOS to support any Layer 3 or router functions if a Router Switch Module (RSM) or Multilayer Switch Feature Card (MSFC) is installed. Therefore, the term hybrid became popular to describe a Catalyst switch running both Catalyst OS for Layer 2 functions, and Cisco IOS for Layer 3 functions. Although Catalyst switches account for more than 50% of the Cisco total sales volume each year, Cisco is known best as a company that makes high-speed routers. As a result, the look and feel of the traditional Cisco ...

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