In a Layer 2 switching network, can a firewall in transparent mode filter out Layer 3 information in data packets?

In a Layer 2 switching network, a firewall operating in transparent mode functions primarily at the data link layer, which means it makes decisions based on MAC addresses rather than IP addresses. While it can inspect and manage data packets as they pass through the switch, a transparent-mode firewall does not interfere with or filter out Layer 3 information, such as IP headers or routing information. This is because Layer 2 operates below Layer 3 in the OSI model, and actions such as filtering or blocking network traffic based on Layer 3 characteristics require the firewall to operate at Layer 3 itself.

Therefore, the assertion that a firewall in transparent mode can filter Layer 3 information is incorrect. The firewall can only observe and control traffic at Layer 2, making it unable to filter out or manipulate Layer 3 packet data. This distinction helps clarify the different functionalities of firewalls operating in various modes, emphasizing the limitations of transparency concerning Layer 3 operations.