LAN design

CCNA Exploration Semester 3

Chapter 1

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Topics
 Networks and business needs
 The 3-level hierarchical network design
model
 Including voice and video over IP in the
design
 Devices at each layer of the hierarchy
 Cisco switches for each layer

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Semester 3
LAN Design

Basic Switch Wireless

Concepts

VLANs STP

VTP Inter-VLAN
routing
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Hierarchical design model

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Hierarchical design model
High speed backbone.

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Hierarchical design model

Subnets, VLANs, routing, flow control,

security.

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Hierarchical design model

Connects end devices. Controls which

devices connect.

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Collapsed core

 Small network: merged core and distribution

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Logical and physical layout
 Logical – how
they connect.
 Physical – where
they are.
 Logical
connections not
obvious from
looking.

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Benefits of Hierarchical Network
 Scalability – easy to expand
 Redundancy – at core and distribution layers
 Performance – route packets through fast
devices
 Security – at access and distribution layers
 Manageability – similar functions within layer
 Maintainability - modular

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Design principles
 Network diameter – how many devices must
packet pass through? Keep it low.
 Bandwidth aggregation – combine ports
where high bandwidth is needed.
 Redundant links/devices – in core and
distribution layers. Too expensive for access.
 Start design at the access layer. How many
devices, how much bandwidth needed?

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Converged network
 Combines data, voice, video.
 (Not converged as in “all routers have
consistent information”. Same word used.)
 Needs quality of service (QoS) to give priority
to voice and video.
 Was very expensive, needed expertise,
needed to replace legacy equipment.
 Now more affordable.
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Advantages of converged network
 One network to manage/ keep up to date
 One set of cabling and networking devices
 One group of people to run it
 One service provider
 Can have voice and video on PC using
headset, webcam and software – no separate
equipment.

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Choosing switches
 Carry out Traffic Flow Analysis using
software to monitor amount and source of
traffic. Allow for growth.
 Carry out User Communities Analysis.
Group by job function. How many ports? How
much bandwidth? Allow for growth.
 Carry out Data Stores and Data Servers
analysis. Traffic to, from, between.

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Topology Diagram
Ports? Layers?
Bandwidth? Routes?
Bottlenecks? Redundancy?

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Topology Diagram
Ports? Layers?
Bandwidth? Routes?
Bottlenecks? Redundancy?
Document it
now

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Choosing switches (contd)
1 rack unit (1U)
Form factor
 Fixed configuration
– ports on chassis
 Modular – ports on
cards
 Stackable – act as
one switch, linked by
special ports.

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Choosing switches (contd)
 Port density – how many ports? (Allow for
links between switches.)
 Forwarding rate – How many Gbps can it
process? Can all ports work simultaneously
at maximum speed?
 Link aggregation (EtherChannel) – up to 8
ports bound together, acting as one, with
combined bandwidth – can it do this?

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Choosing switches (contd)
 Power over Ethernet (PoE) for IP phones,
network access points. Do you need it? It
adds to the cost.
 Multilayer switch needed? Typical switch
works at Data Link layer (2), uses MAC
addresses. Multilayer also works at Network
layer (3), routes between subnets.

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Access Layer Switch Features
 Port security – choose which devices may
connect. All Cisco switches support this.
 VLANs – connected devices on different
subnets.
 Speed – Fast Ethernet (100Mbps) or Gigabit.
 Power over Ethernet (PoE) – expensive
 Link aggregation – for uplinks
 Quality of service (QoS) if needed
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Distribution Layer Switch Features
 Layer 3 support – route between VLANs
 High forwarding rate (processing)
 Port speed Gbps, 10Gbps ports
 Redundancy
 Security – Access control lists
 Link aggregation
 Quality of service
 Availability. Hot swappable power supply?
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Core Layer Switch Features
 Support for Network layer (3) - routing
 Very high forwarding rate
 Very high port speed (1Gbps, 10Gbps)
 Redundancy
 Link aggregation
 Quality of service
 Avoid security and other distractions here.
Go for speed.
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Catalyst Switch product lines

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Catalyst Switch product lines

Concentrate
on general
features

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 The End

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