1:
This chapter mentioned many advantages to using the multilayer model. List as many as possible.
A:The advantages of using the multilayer model are as follows:
Modularity
Scalability
Ease of maintenance and troubleshooting
Improved multicast support
Deterministic traffic flows
It is a media-independent design (for example, the core can use either Ethernet or ATM)
It is very resilient and offers fast failover via intelligent Layer 3 routing protocols
It provides a high degree of control
This chapter also mentioned many disadvantages to using campus-wide VLANs. List as many as possible.
A:The disadvantages of using campus-wide VLANs are as follows:
A lack of hierarchy
Spanning Tree and other problems can quickly spread and cripple the entire network
Spanning Tree load blanacing can be extremely difficult if not impossible to implement
Troubleshooting is difficult
It is difficult to expand the network
Connecting multiple VLANs to multiple servers through mutli-VLAN NICs like LANE, ISL, and 802.1Q often results in low performance and can overwhelm the servers with broadcast traffic from many VLANs
They often require that redundancy be eliminated to achieve stability
List some of the issues concerning management VLAN design.
A:Some of the issues concerning management VLAN design are as follows:
Always have separate management and end-user VLANs
Having loop-free management VLANs can improve stability
What are some factors to be considered when determining where to place Root Bridges?
A:Place in the paths of high-bandwidth data flows
Use devices that can carry the aggregate load presented to Root Bridges
Use a stable device
Use centralized Root Bridges to facilitate network simplicity
Use distributed Root Bridges to increase aggregate throughput at the expense of a more complex network design
List five techniques that are available for campus load balancing.
A:Five techniques that are available for campus load balancing include:
The Spanning-Tree Protocol
HSRP
IP Routing
ATM
EtherChannel
What is the primary difference between using routing switches (MLS) and switching routers in MDF/distribution layer devices?
A:The primary difference between routing switches and switching routers concerns their handling of Layer 2 and Layer 3 functions. Routing switches are, first and foremost, Layer 2 devices that have been enhanced with a variety of Layer 3 functionality. However, they continue to maintain a strong Layer 2 orientation. As a result, they do not automatically create any Layer 3 barriers in the network (this must be done through manual pruning of VLANs from trunk links). On the other hand, switching routers such as the Catalyst 8500s are essentially high-speed versions of traditional Cisco routers. Therefore, they require no special configuration to partition the network into separate Layer 2 domains (creating a more scalable design).
Note that both types of Layer 3 switches can be used to create essentially identical designs. The distinctions being made here reflect the default behavior of these devices and should be kept in mind when designing and building a campus network.
7:What are the pros and cons of using ATM?
A:Table A-1 lists the pros and cons of using ATM.
Pros
Cons
High available bandwidth
Complexity
Sophisticated bandwidth sharing
Cost
QoS
Ethernet is growing in sophistication and in its capability to handle features previously only supported by ATM (such as COS/QoS)
Support for timing-critical applications such as voice and video
Many new voice and video applications do not require ATM service
Distance
Interoperability