General LAN architecture question

[root9]

When connecting multiple switches together on a rack (all located in the same wiring closet... ) should you plug one into the other in a linear fashion or should there be one 'main' switch that all the other switches plug into? Whats the difference/advantages/disadvantages?

[vmiller]

You need to consider an overall topology in your design and use a building block model, so the answer is yes, a "distribution layer" switch is a good idea.

attached is a url for some design guidance. there are more out there on the cisco wb site.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/customer/netsol/ns110/ns146/ns147/ns17/networking_solutions_white_paper09186a00800a4883.shtml

[root9]

Thanks. I'll check that out.