Layer 3 interfaces forward packets to another device using static or dynamic routing protocols. You can use
Layer 3 interfaces for IP routing and inter-VLAN routing of Layer 2 traffic.

Routed Interfaces

You can configure a port as a Layer 2 interface or a Layer 3 interface. A routed interface is a physical port
that can route IP traffic to another device. A routed interface is a Layer 3 interface only and does not support
Layer 2 protocols, such as the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP).

All Ethernet ports are switched interfaces by default. You can change this default behavior with the CLI setup
script or through the system default switchport command.

Cisco Nexus 5000 Series NX-OS Interfaces Configuration Guide, Release 5.2(1)N1(1)

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