1.

Find information and take notes about the Cisco three-layer

hierarchical model.

Specifically:

1. A simple definition of each hierarchical layer

2. Three concise facts about each layer
3. Network device capabilities needed at each layer
4. A detailed graphic that shows a full, three-layer hierarchical model
design.

a. Access Layer

1) The access layer provides connectivity for the users

2) THREE CONCISE FACTS:

User and workgroup access to network and resources is

defined at access layer, and this layer is also known as
desktop layer.

The access layer module contains Layer 2 or Layer 3 switches

to provide the required port density.

Implementation of VLANs and trunk links to the building

distribution layer (referring to the Cisco Enterprise
Architecture) occurs here.

3) NETWORK DEVICE CAPABILITIES NEEDED:

Layer 2 switching

High availability

Port security

QoS classification and marking and trust boundaries

 Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) inspection

Virtual access control lists (VACLs)

Spanning tree

Power over Ethernet (PoE) and auxiliary VLANs for VoIP

b. Distribution Layer

1) The distribution layer is used to forward traffic from one local

network to another.

2) THREE CONCISE FACTS:

It is also known as workgroup layer, and it is the

communication point between access and core layer

The distribution layer module aggregates building access

(referring to the Cisco Enterprise Architecture) using Layer 3
devices.

Routing, access control, and QoS are performed at this

distribution layer module.

3) NETWORK DEVICE CAPABILITIES NEEDED:

Aggregation of LAN or WAN links.

Policy-based security in the form of access control lists (ACLs)

and filtering.

Routing services between LANs and VLANs and between

routing domains (e.g., EIGRP to OSPF).

Redundancy and load balancing.

 A boundary for route aggregation and summarization
configured on interfaces toward the core layer.

Broadcast domain control, because routers or multilayer

switches do not forward broadcasts. The device acts as the
demarcation point between broadcast domains.

c. Core Layer

1) The core layer represents a high-speed backbone layer between

dispersed networks.

2) THREE CONCISE FACTS:

Core layer is known as core of network, as it is on the top of

the network, and it is responsible for transferring heavy
amount of traffic in reliable and quick manner.

The core layer module provides high-speed interconnectivity

between the distribution layer modules, data center server
farms, and the enterprise edge (referring to the Cisco
Enterprise Architecture).

Redundancy, fast convergence, and fault tolerance are the

focus of the design in this module.

3) NETWORK DEVICE CAPABILITIES NEEDED:

Providing high-speed switching (i.e., fast transport)

Providing reliability and fault tolerance

Scaling by using faster, and not more, equipment

Avoiding CPU-intensive packet manipulation caused by

security, inspection, quality of service (QoS) classification, or
other processes
4.

2. Compare Layer 2 (2960) and Layer 3 (3560) switches

a. Examine the physical aspects:

1) How many physical interfaces does each switch have in total?

- Each switch has 26 physical interfaces.

2) How many FastEthernet and Gigabit Ethernet interfaces does each
switch have

- Each switch has 24 FastEthernet interfaces and 2 Gigabit Ethernet

interfaces
3) List the transmission speed of the Fast Ethernet and Gigabit
Ethernet interfaces on each switch.
 - 10/100 Mbps for Fast Ethernet interfaces, and 1 Gbps for Gigabit
Ethernet.
4) Are either of the two switches modular in design?

- No, they are fixed.

b. Examine the configuration aspects:

1) What is the difference between a Layer 2 switch and a Layer 3

switch?

- A Layer 2 switch makes forwarding decisions based on L2 (MAC)

addresses. Interfaces on Layer 3 switches can be configured with IP
addresses. The switches can also be configured with routing protocols just
like a router.
2) What is the difference between a switchs physical interface and the
VLAN interface?

- A switchs physical interface is used to connect end devices to

network. A VLAN is used to configure the switch with an IP address so that it
can be managed remotely.
3) On which layer does a 2960 and 3560 operate?

- The 2960 operates on Layer 2, and the 3560 operates on Layers 2

and 3.

3. Explore Cisco Switch Products by navigating www.cisco.com

a. Focus on the Campus LAN switches for Access Layer Switches, Core and
Distribution switches, Compact Switches.
b. List a few models (3) and some of the features:

1) Model
2) Uplink Speed
3) Number of Ports/Speed
4) Other Features

Nexus 7000 switches

 4, 9, 10, and 18 slots

550 Gbps bandwidth per slot

Up to 192 40 GE ports and 32 100 GE ports

Redundant supervisors

Nexus 7700 switches

6, 10, and 18 slots

1.3 Tbps bandwidth per slot

Up to 348 40 GE ports and 192 100 GE ports

Redundant supervisors

Cisco Catalyst 6880-X Switch

4 module slots, 5 RU

80 x 10/1 G SFP or 20 x 40 G SFP/SFP+

Slot capacity 80 240 Gb/s

Switching capacity up to 4 Tb/s (VSS)

Cisco Catalyst Instant Access

4. Define VTP operations

On Cisco Devices, VTP (VLAN Trunking Protocol) maintains VLAN

configuration consistency across a single Layer 2 network. VTP uses Layer
2 frames to manage the addition, deletion, and renaming of VLANs from
switches in the VTP client mode. VTP is responsible for synchronizing VLAN
information within a VTP domain and reduces the need to configure the same
VLAN information on each switch thereby minimizing the possibility of
configuration inconsistencies that arise when changes are made.

5. Explain the VTP Modes

 ServerIn VTP server mode, you can create, modify, and delete VLANs
and specify other configuration parameters, such as VTP version and VTP
pruning, for the entire VTP domain. VTP servers advertise their VLAN
configuration to other switches in the same VTP domain and synchronize
their VLAN configuration with other switches based on advertisements
received over trunk links. VTP server is the default mode.
ClientVTP clients behave the same way as VTP servers, but you
cannot create, change, or delete VLANs on a VTP client.
TransparentVTP transparent switches do not participate in VTP. A VTP
transparent switch does not advertise its VLAN configuration and does not
synchronize its VLAN configuration based on received advertisements, but
transparent switches do forward VTP advertisements that they receive out
their trunk ports in VTP Version 2.