How do I know the switch is layer 2 or layer 3?

Question

Is it possible to find the switch is Layer3 or Layer2 in (Switch)CLI? Is there any command to check whether the switch Layer(Layer 3 or 2) in CLI?

Answer 1

In addition to @Zac67 answer, in the Catalyst product line, layer 3 capabilities are often unlocked by licenses.

So a given switch can be layer 3 capable but, depending on the installed license, may have none, a few, or a complete set of, layer 3 features.

The switch is shipped by default with the LAN BASE license (formally LAN lite), but can be either ordered with a higher licence level (often "Enterprise"), or a license can be added later.

To check what you license is the CLI command is, quite logically, show license

the output looks like:

show license
Index 1 Feature: lanlite
    Period left: 0  minute  0  second
Index 2 Feature: lanbase
    Period left: Life time
    License Type: Permanent
    License State: Active, In Use
    License Priority: Medium
    License Count: Non-Counted

Answer 2

Normally, an L3 switch can be configured to work as a router (forward traffic between IP subnets) or not, e.g. ip routing / no ip routing. Some models/series have routing activated by default, some have it deactivated. Additionally, the IP status (show ip) should show its routing status.

IP Routing : Enabled

On an L2 switch you won't see this option or status.

Apart from CLI, the CDP and LLDP frames sent out should show its capabilities (bridge, router) whether active or not. You should be able to display the local CDP info using something along show cdp tlv - look out for Capabilities: Router.

And of course, you can display the device model (show system) and look up its features. If applicable, check the license as JFL has pointed out.