Hierarchical network design

[Jaro]

Hello All, 

I have around 30 - 40 access switches:

Q1: Why I should use divide core and distribution network, when I have enough ports in core SW. Redundancy will be ensured by connecting cables to both devices.

Q2: Why I should use distribution layer in global, if there is no free port in core SW it is understandable. 

Thank you 

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi,

If your core switches have enough ports for all the uplinks from the access switches than you don't need distribution switches at all.

HTH 

[Mark Malone]

My opinion i have a collapsed core Core straight to access currently in one region HQ no dist
now on my ILCM im changing that and sticking in 2 dist switches , the one reason is the core its good to segregate routing from switching completely and have the core L3 only, its a physical logical separation and extra security for the core if the access layer spins out it wont take the core with it

Now as Reza said you can go without it we have for years core - access but its good practice if possible to segregate but it can be an unjust cost in some designs and may not be required depending on your level of paranoia of something going seriously wrong :)