Chapter 2. Designing Switched Networks

Terms you'll need to understand:

• AVVID

• Core, distribution, and access layers

• Building Access, Building Distribution, and Campus Core

• CatOS, hybrid, and native modes

• Switch Fabric Module

Techniques you'll need to master:

• Understanding the components of AVVID

• Using the Enterprise Composite Network Model to design networks

• Comparing and contrasting Layer 2 switches, routers, Layer 3 switches, and multilayer switches

• Comparing and contrasting Ethernet technologies

• Choosing products for small, medium, and large campus networks

• Creating a basic switch configuration

This chapter exposes a lot of different concepts to you. First, the chapter discusses Cisco's design philosophy for creating scalable campus networks, including Cisco's old three-layer hierarchical model and Cisco's new Enterprise Model design. Next, I'll compare and contrast the different types of Layer 2 and Layer 3 solutions you can use in your campus network, including the different Ethernet media types, as well as products that Cisco recommends for the Enterprise Composite Network Model.

This chapter then discusses how to put a basic configuration on a Catalyst switch, using native mode (using the IOS operating system). It's assumed that you have basic knowledge of IOS commands, so this section is more of a review of basic commands and configuration tasks. This is followed by the optional Switch Fabric Module (SFM), which is supported in the Catalyst 6500 switches.