Switching Basics and Intermediate Routing CCNA 3 Chapter 5

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LAN Design
Introduction

LAN design has become more difficult

Due to multiple media types and LANs Complexity has increased

Three aspects of a network that need to be identified before designing a large LAN:
An access layer that connects end users to a LAN A distribution layer that provides policy-based connectivity between end-user LANs A core layer that provides the fastest connection between distribution points
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LAN Design
LAN Design Goals

Requirements of most networks designs:

Functionality: the network must work as intended Scalability: the network must be expandable Adaptability: the network must be designed with a vision toward future technologies Manageability: the design must facilitate network monitoring and management to ensure stability
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LAN Design
LAN Design Considerations

A virtual LAN (VLAN) is a group of devices on one or more LANs that communicate as if they were attached to the same wire To maximize bandwidth and performance, address these LAN design considerations:
Function and placement of servers Collision domain issues Segmentation issues Broadcast domain issues

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LAN Design
LAN Design Considerations

Servers are usually dedicated to one function such as email or file sharing
Servers can be one of two types:
Enterprise servers support all users on the network
e-mail Domain Name System (DNS), the Internet-wide system of mapping names to IP addresses

Workgroup servers support a specific set of users and offers services such as word processing and file sharing
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LAN Design
LAN Design Considerations

Enterprise servers are usually placed in the main distribution facility (MDF)
Traffic to enterprise servers should travel only to the MDF and not across other networks Workgroup servers should be placed in the intermediate distribution facilities (IDFs) closest to the users who access the applications on these servers

Layer 2 switches in the MDF and IDF should have 1000Mbps (1Gbps) allocated bandwidth
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LAN Design
LAN Design Considerations
Servers Are Typically Placed at a Point of Convergence in the Network, Such as Within an IDF or MDF

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LAN Design
LAN Design Considerations

Ethernet nodes use carrier sense multiple access with collision detection (CSMA/CD)
Each node must contend with all other nodes for access to the shared medium, or collision domain
If two nodes transmit at the same time, a collision occurs The transmitted frames are destroyed and a jam signal is sent to all nodes on the segment

Excessive collisions reduce bandwidth

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LAN Design
LAN Design Considerations

Collisions Increase Multiplicatively with the Number of Hosts

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LAN Design
LAN Design Considerations Microsegmentation is when a single collision domain is split into smaller collision domains
Reduces number of collisions on a LAN segment A broadcast occurs when the destination MAC address is FF:FF:FF:FF:FF:FF
Single Broadcast Domain

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LAN Design
LAN Design Methodology LAN design should be done in a set of systematic steps:
Step 1: Gather the requirements and expectations
Users Corporate structure Skill level of people User attitudes towards computes and applications Documented policies of the organization Business information flow Data that is mission critical Protocols allowed on the network

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LAN Design
LAN Design Methodology Step 1: Gather the requirements and expectations (continued)
Performance characteristics of current network Types of desktops supported Persons responsible for LAN addressing, naming, topology design, and configuration Current topology Human, hardware, and software resources How resources are linked and shared Financial resources of organization
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LAN Design
LAN Design Methodology

Documentation of requirements allows for an informed estimate of costs and timelines for implementation Availability measures the usefulness of the network
Factors affecting availability:
Throughput Response time Access to resources

Customers may have different definitions of availability

As a network designer, goal is greatest availability at least cost
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LAN Design
LAN Design Methodology

Step 2: Analyze the requirements of the network and its users

Needs of users change Need for bandwidth increases
Voice and video applications

The network must reliably provide prompt and accurate information Information requirements of the users and organization must be met
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LAN Design
LAN Design Methodology Step 3: Decide on the overall LAN topology that will satisfy user requirements
Star Extended star (most common)
The Star Topology is a Special Case of the Extended Star Topology

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LAN Design
LAN Design Methodology

Step 3: Decide on the overall LAN topology that will satisfy user requirements (continued)
LAN topology design has three unique OSI model categories:
Network layer (Layer 3) Data link layer (Layer 2) Physical layer (Layer 1)

By looking at the OSI layer, the design engineer can properly incorporate products and technologies
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LAN Design
LAN Design Methodology

Step 4: Document the physical and logical topology of the network

Physical topology: the way the network components are connected Logical topology: the flow of data in the network, and the name and addressing schemes used

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LAN Design
LAN Design Methodology
Logical Design Includes Name and Address Schemes

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LAN Design
LAN Design Methodology

Important elements of LAN design documentation:

OSI layer topology map LAN logical map LAN physical map Cut sheets, which show cable runs VLAN logical map Layer 3 logical map Address maps
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LAN Design
LAN Design Methodology

Cut Sheet for IDF Location Room XXX

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LAN Design
LAN Design Methodology

VLAN Logical Design

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LAN Design
LAN Design Methodology IP Networks Are Displayed in a Layer 3 Logical Map

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LAN Design
LAN Design Methodology Address Maps Provide a Detailed View of IP Addresses for Key Devices and Interfaces

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LAN Design
Layer 1 Design

One of the most important design considerations is the cables

Most LAN cabling is based of FastEthernet or Gigabit Ethernet technology
Both can utilize full duplex technology, giving concurrent, collision-free, two-way communication A logical bus topology that uses CSMA/CD can also be used with standard Ethernet

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LAN Design
Layer 1 Design

Design issues at Layer 1:

Type of cabling (copper or fiber optic)
100BASE-TX specifies Cat5e unshielded twisted-pair (UTP), limited to 100m per segment 100BAS-FX specifies multimode fiber with a length limit of 2 km

TIA/EIA-568-A standard details layout and wiring connection schemes

Media types: Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6 UTP and shielded twisted-pair (STP) that has shielding around wire pairs and another shield around all the wires in the cable, single-mode fiber, multi-mode fiber
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LAN Design
Layer 1 Design

Design issues at Layer 1 (continued):

Carefully evaluate strengths and weaknesses of topologies
Layer 1 issues cause most network problems

Use fiber-optic cable in the backbone and risers of a network Use Cat5e or Cat6 in horizontal runs Every device should be connected to a central location with a horizontal cabling run

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LAN Design
Layer 1 Design

In a simple star topology with only one wiring closet, the MDF includes one or more horizontal cross-connect (HCC) patch panels
HCC patch panels connect Layer 1 horizontal cabling with Layer 2 switch ports The uplink port on the LAN switch is connected to the Ethernet port on the Layer 3 router with a patch cable
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LAN Design
Layer 1 Design

HCC Connects Layer 1 Cabling to Layer 2 Switch Ports

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LAN Design
Layer 1 Design

When hosts in larger networks exceed the 100m distance limitation for Cat5e UTP, more than one wiring closet is required Multiple wiring closets means you have multiple catchment areas Secondary wiring closets are referred to as intermediate distribution facilities (IDFs)
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LAN Design
Layer 1 Design

IDFs Connect via the MDF

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LAN Design
Layer 1 Design

Vertical cabling is also called backbone cabling A vertical cross-connect interconnects IDFs to the central MDF
Fiber-optic cable is normally used for the VCC because cable lengths are longer than the100m limit for Cat5e cable

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LAN Design
Layer 1 Design

VCC Interconnects IDFs to the MDF

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LAN Design
Layer 1 Design The logical diagram is the basic road map of the LAN and includes these elements:
Location and identification of MDF and IDF wiring closets Type and quantity of cables used to interconnect the IDFs with the MDF Number of spare cables that are available to increase bandwidth between wiring closets Detailed documentation of all cable runs, identification numbers, and port on which the run is terminated at the HCC or VCC Essential for troubleshooting network problems
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LAN Design
Layer 2 Design

Purpose of Layer 2 devices is to switch frames based on destination MAC address

Collisions and collision domain size negatively affect network performance Devices at Layer 2 (and Layer 3) determine the size of collision domains Microsegmentation reduces the size of collision domains and is implemented through the use of switches
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LAN Design
Layer 2 Design

LAN Switches Provide Microsegmentation

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LAN Design
Layer 2 Design

LAN switches allocate bandwidth on a perport basis

This supplies more bandwidth to vertical cabling, uplinks, and servers Referred to as asymmetric switching (provides switch connections between ports of unlike bandwidth) Symmetric switching provides switched connections between ports of similar bandwidth
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LAN Design
Layer 2 Design
Desired capacity of vertical cable runs is greater than that of a horizontal cable run 100 Mbps is adequate on a horizontal drop Asymmetric LAN switches allow 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps on a single switch Next task in the design process is to determine number of 100 Mbps and 1 Gbps ports needed in the MDF and every IDF The number of hosts connected to a single port on a switch determines the size of the collision domain, affects bandwidth available to each host Collision domains can be eliminated by using one host per switch port

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LAN Design
Layer 3 Design

A router is a Layer 3 device

Creates unique LAN segments Allows communication between segments based on Layer 3 addresses, such as IP addresses Allows segmentation of LAN into unique physical and logical networks Allows for connectivity to WANs, such as the Internet Forwards data packets based on destination addresses Does not forward broadcasts Is the entry and exit point for a broadcast domain
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LAN Design
Layer 3 Design

When to use a router:

If the problem is a protocol issue instead of a contention issue If there are excessive broadcasts on the LAN If a higher level of security is needed

However, Layer 3 switches can now perform many of these functions at nearly the same cost
Expect Layer 3 switching to become pervasive in 10 years Layer 3 switches perform wire-speed routing, QoS, and security functions
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LAN Design
Layer 3 Design

Logical Addressing Mapped to the Physical Network

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LAN Design
Layer 3 Design

Logical Network Addressing Map

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LAN Design
Layer 3 Design

Physical Network Maps Ease Troubleshooting

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LAN Design
Layer 3 Design

VLAN implementation combines Layer 2 switching and Layer 3 routing technologies

Limits collision and broadcast domains Provides security with creation of VLAN groups that communicate only through a router Ports on a switch are assigned to different VLANs
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LAN Design
Layer 3 Design

VLANs Are Essentially Switch Port Groupings

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LAN Switches
Introduction

Early LAN switches did not support VLANs Second-generation switches supported VLANs, but relied on routers for interVLAN communication Third generation switches have the route processors built into the switches
With the exception of access layer switches, switches are becoming almost indistinguishable from routers
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LAN Switches
Switched LANs and the Hierarchical Design Model

Use of a hierarchical design model makes it more likely to meet the needs of a medium or large organization Layers of the hierarchical model:
Access layer: gives users access to the network Distribution layer: provides policy-based connectivity Core layer: provides optimum transport between sites; often referred to as the backbone

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LAN Switches
Access Layer Overview

Entry point to network for user workstations and servers Functions include MAC layer filtering and microsegmentation Layer 2 switches are used

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LAN Switches
Access Layer Overview
The Access Layer is an Entry Point to the Network, Particularly for End Users

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LAN Switches
Access Layer Switches

Access layer switches generally operate at Layer 2 of the OSI model

Provide services such as VLAN membership Main purpose is to connect end users Should do this with low cost and high port density
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LAN Switches
Access Layer Switches

Common legacy access layer switches used today

Catalyst 1900 series Catalyst 2820 series Catalyst 2950 series (not a legacy switch) Catalyst 4000 series Catalyst 5000 series

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LAN Switches
Access Layer Switches Features of Access Layer Switches

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LAN Switches
Access Layer Switches

Catalyst 1900 and 2820 switches were effective for small campus networks The 2950 series provides access for users and servers that require higher bandwidth
Use FastEthernet and Gigabit Ethernet ports

The 4000 and 5000 series include Gigabit Ethernet ports

Effective in large campus networks
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LAN Switches
Access Layer Switches

The Catalyst 4500 Series Is Often Used at the Access Layer in an Enterprise Network

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LAN Switches
Distribution Layer Overview

The distribution layer is between the access and core layers

Provides a boundary definition where packet manipulation can take place Segments layers into broadcast domains Can apply policies and access control lists to filter packets Prevents problems at the access layer from affecting the core layer Switches in this layer operate at Layer 2 and Layer 3
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LAN Switches
Distribution Layer Overview

Distribution layer functions:

Aggregation of the wiring closet connections Broadcast/multicast domain definition VLAN routing Any media transitions that need to occur Security

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LAN Switches
Distribution Layer Overview
The Distribution Layer Is Typically Where Policy Is Incorporated

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LAN Switches
Distribution Layer Switches

Distribution layer switches are the aggregation points for multiple access layer switches
Must be able to accommodate the traffic from access layer devices Must have high performance Use Layer 2 and Layer 3 switching to delineate broadcast domains (multilayer switches that combine switching and routing functions) Combine VLAN traffic Focal points for decisions about traffic flow
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LAN Switches
Distribution Layer Switches

Distribution layer often used legacy Cisco switches:

Catalyst 2926G Catalyst 5000 series Catalyst 6000 series

Current distribution layer switches:

Catalyst 4500 Catalyst 4900 Catalyst 6500
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LAN Switches
Distribution Layer Switches

The Catalyst 6513 Is About as Good as it Gets for a Distribution Layer Switch, Circa 2006
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LAN Switches
Core Layer Overview

The core layer is a high-speed switching backbone

If the core switch does not have a routing module, an external router is used for the Layer 3 function This layer should not perform packet manipulation, such as access list filtering Should have redundant paths Current trend is to use wire-speed Layer 3 switching at the core
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LAN Switches
Core Layer Overview

Core Layer is Devoted to High-Speed Switching of Numerous Packets

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LAN Switches
Core Layer Switches

Core Layer is the backbone of the campus switched network

Switches in this layer can use various layer 2 technologies
Ethernet ATM cell switching

The core layer can be a routed (Layer 3) core Factors such as cost, need, and performance must be considered when choosing equipment
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LAN Switches
Core Layer Switches

Core Layer legacy switches:

Catalyst 8500 series IGX 8400 series Lightstream 1010

Current core layer switches:

Catalyst 6500 series Cisco 12000 series routers (occasionally) Cisco CRS-1 (Carrier Routing System) devices
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Summary
LAN design typically focuses on:
Functionality Scalability Manageability Adaptability

Important elements of LAN design documentation:

OSI topology map LAN logical map LAN physical map
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Summary
Important elements of LAN design documentation (continued):
Cut sheets VLAN logical map Layer 3 logical map Address maps

Layer 1 design issues include:

Types of cables Overall structure of the cabling Media types such as Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, single-mode fiber, and multi-mode fiber
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Summary
The logical diagram of a LAN includes
MDF and IDF locations Type and quantity of cables used to connect IDFs to MDF Number of spare cables available to increase bandwidth between MDF and IDFs

Layer 2 devices provide flow control, error detection and error correction, and reduce congestion in a network Microsegmentation of the network reduces the size of collision domains and reduces collisions
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Summary
Characteristics of routers:
Layer 3 devices Create unique LAN segments Allow communication between segments based on Layer 3 addresses (IP, usually) Allow for segmentation of LAN into physical and logical networks Allow for connectivity to WANs such as the Internet
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Summary
VLAN implementation combines Layer 2 switching and Layer 3 routing technologies
Limit collision domains and broadcast domains Originally used to create logical groupings according to function Now more often used to group IP subnets Routers or route processors enable communication between VLANs
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Summary
The hierarchical design model includes three layers:
Access layer gives access to users in workgroups Distribution layer provides policy-based connectivity Core layer provides optimal transport between sites

Access layer switches operate at Layer 2 of the OSI model

Offer services such as VLAN membership Main purpose is to provide connectivity for end users Should have low cost and high port density
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Summary
Distribution layer switches delineate broadcast domains
Combines VLAN traffic Focal point of decisions about traffic flow Operate at both Layer 2 and Layer 3 of the OSI model (called multilayer switches)

Core layer switches provide a high-speed switching backbone

Should not be used for packet manipulation (no ACLs) Should have redundant paths
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