In enterprise networking, the hierarchical three-tier model is divided into three distinct roles: access switches (which connect end-user devices to the network via Layer 2), distribution switches (which route inter-VLAN traffic and enforce security policies at Layer 3) . In enterprise networking, the hierarchical three-tier model is divided into three distinct roles: access switches (which connect end-user devices to the network via Layer 2), distribution switches (which route inter-VLAN traffic and enforce security policies at Layer 3) . This guide provides a comprehensive comparison of Access, Distribution, and Core switches, detailing their functions, characteristics, and deployment scenarios. Introduction: The Hierarchical Network Model In today's complex IT environments, network design follows a structured approach to ensure. Knowing the roles of core, aggregation, and access switches in contemporary network topology becomes essential to create effective and scalable networks. This article looks at what each such tool does, compares how they differ from each other, and offers suggestions as to what sort of network each. The term campus LAN refers to a LAN network that spans a single geographic location, such as a building or university campus. A campus LAN can be an entire network or part of an enterprise network. Security and application service devices (such as. The core layer runs an interior routing protocol, such as OSPF or EIGRP, and load balances traffic between the campus core and aggregation layers using Cisco Express Forwarding (CEF)-based hashing algorithms. The core layer is purely a Layer 3 environment.
