Chapter 1

What is a LAN?
Local Area Network (LAN) is a high speed, low-error data network covering a relatively small
geographic area.

Network Communication includes transfer of data, voice, and video.

What is a switch?
A switch is a network device that filters, forwards, and floods frames based on the
destination address of each frame. The switch operates at the data link layer of the OSI
model.

Hierarchical Network Model:

A LAN based on Hierarchical Network Model is easier to manage and expand, and problems
are solved more quickly.

In hierarchical network design, the network is divides into layers, and each layer provides
specific function in the overall network.
By separating functions, the network becomes modular, which facilitates scalability &
performance.

There are three layers:

- Access Layer
 It interfaces with end devices (PC’s, printers, IP phones).
 Provide Access to the rest of the network
 Includes routers, switches, bridges, hubs, & wireless access points.
 Main purpose is to provide connection of devices to the network and control
which devices are allowed to communicate on the network.

- Distribution Layer
 Aggregates the data received from the access layer, & then transmits it to the
core layer for routing.
 Controls the flow of network traffic using policies
 Perform routing functions between VLANs

- Core Layer
 Is the high-speed backbone of the internetwork (internet)
 Provide interconnectivity between distribution layer devices
 Aggregates traffic from all the distribution layer devices, so it must have large
bandwidth to forward large amount of data