A Layer 2 switch operates at the Data Link Layer, forwarding traffic based on MAC addresses. Normally, it doesn’t need an IP address to switch packets.
However, it does need an IP address for management purposes, such as:
- Remote access using Telnet, SSH, or a web interface
- SNMP monitoring and alerts
- Ping tests and network troubleshooting
The IP is usually assigned to the switch’s VLAN interface (SVI), not for data forwarding but so network admins can connect to the switch.
✅ Summary: A Layer 2 switch needs an IP only for administration and management, not for its core switching function.
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