Which feature differentiates a Layer 3 firewall from Layer 2 firewalls?

The distinguishing feature of a Layer 3 firewall is its ability to conduct traffic routing. Unlike Layer 2 firewalls, which primarily operate at the data link layer and use MAC addresses for forwarding decisions, Layer 3 firewalls function at the network layer and are capable of analyzing IP packets.

This capability enables Layer 3 firewalls to determine the best path for sending packets between different networks, making decisions based on IP addressing. Layer 3 firewalls can implement routing protocols to facilitate this process, allowing them to forward traffic between different subnets and manage traffic for both incoming and outgoing connections based on network-layer information.

In contrast, features like packet filtering, application awareness, and stateful inspection can exist in both Layer 2 and Layer 3 firewalls, but they do not define the essential function that sets Layer 3 firewalls apart. Thus, the ability to route traffic effectively is what differentiates Layer 3 firewalls from their Layer 2 counterparts.