What is L2 Forwarding Rate?

L2 Forwarding Rate is the speed at which a network device can process and forward Layer 2 (L2) Ethernet frames. It is a key performance metric that determines how quickly a switch can move data between devices within a local network. The L2 forwarding rate is typically measured in frames per second (fps) or packets per second (pps). A higher L2 forwarding rate indicates that the switch can handle more traffic and support a higher number of devices in the network without performance degradation. The rate is critical for ensuring smooth data flow, especially in high-traffic environments.

The L2 Forwarding Rate is affected by the Switch Fabric, as the fabric dictates bandwidth and throughput capacity. A powerful switch fabric allows the switch to handle a higher L2 forwarding rate, enabling the switch to process and forward more frames per second. Without a strong Switch Fabric, the switch can become a bottleneck.

The L2 Forwarding Rate can be calculated with this algorithm: (number of ports X forwarding rate [1.488 Mpps]). The number of ports include SFP as well.

Content created by Mike Day