The Cisco SM-X Layer2/3 EtherSwitch Service Module helps ensure maximum availability, high performance, ease of upgrade, and expandability. The modules have their own processors, switching engines, and flash memory that run independently of host router resources, helping ensure maximum concurrent switching and routing performance as well as providing integrated PoE+, security, and increased ease of management.As users attempt network access through the Cisco Enhanced EtherSwitch Service Module, the module can use IEEE 802.1x and a large number of Cisco 802.1x extensions to validate the credentials of the end device and place the user in the appropriate VLAN or Cisco TrustSec group. As the end-user data traverses between the switch module and other network entities or between buildings, this traffic can be encrypted at Layer 2 using MACsec.
