LAN Design and Cisco Borderless Networks

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Questions and Answers

What is a primary benefit of a converged network?

Requires more physical networks to manage.

Integrates various communication systems into one physical network. (correct)

Facilitates the installation of various network types.

Reduces the need for multiple devices.

How do Layer 2 switches operate in a small to medium-sized LAN?

They primarily manage network security.

They function independently of any network protocols.

They broadcast data to all connected devices.

They forward data based on MAC addresses. (correct)

Which layer of the Borderless switched network design provides network access to users?

Core Layer

Distribution Layer

Access Layer (correct)

Management Layer

What characteristic is NOT emphasized in the hierarchical model of a Borderless switched network?

Simplicity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is essential for next-generation networks?

Support for a globalized workforce. Signup and view all the answers

What role does modularity play in a borderless switched network?

Facilitates seamless network expansion. Signup and view all the answers

What describes the collision domain in comparison to a broadcast domain?

Collision domains are smaller than broadcast domains. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the Cisco Borderless Network?

It allows users to connect securely from various devices. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the distribution layer in a network?

To aggregate Layer 2 broadcast domains and provide Layer 3 routing boundaries. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a consideration when selecting switches?

User Interface Design Signup and view all the answers

How does a LAN switch determine where to forward traffic?

By evaluating the ingress port and the destination address. Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic of a core layer in a network design?

It provides fault isolation for critical data flows. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant advantage of a hierarchical switched LAN?

It offers improved flexibility and traffic management. Signup and view all the answers

Which switch form factor allows for increased modularity and scalability?

Modular configuration Signup and view all the answers

In a switched environment, what happens to a message entering switch port 1 with a destination address of EA?

The switch forwards the message out port 4. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following features is NOT provided by a hierarchical switched LAN?

Direct point-to-point connections Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of Store-and-Forward switching?

Only forwards error-free frames after verifying frame-check-sequence. Signup and view all the answers

How does Cut-Through switching process frames?

Forwards frames as soon as the destination MAC address is determined. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement describes the behavior of Fragment Free switching?

It waits for the collision window to pass before forwarding. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of Ethernet switch ports operating in full duplex?

They can transmit and receive data simultaneously, eliminating collisions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a broadcast domain?

A switch or interconnected switches allowing broadcast frames to be forwarded. Signup and view all the answers

What happens when a switch receives a broadcast frame?

It forwards the frame to all ports except the one it was received on. Signup and view all the answers

How does autonegotiation work with Ethernet switch ports?

It enables switches to negotiate full-duplex if connected to a compliant device. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a feature of Store-and-Forward switching?

It uses error checking to determine if a frame is forwarded. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

LAN Design

Switched networks are ideal for small to medium businesses because they provide security, reliability, and high availability.
Switched Networks can support a global workforce; converged network solutions integrate voice systems, IP phones, voice gateways, video support, and video conferencing.

Cisco Borderless Networks

The Cisco Borderless network allows organizations to connect anyone, anywhere, anytime on any device securely, reliably, and seamlessly.
The Cisco Borderless network provides unified wired and wireless access, including policy, access control, and performance management across many different device types.

Hierarchy in the Borderless Switched Network

Borderless switched network design guidelines are based on the following principles: hierarchical, modular, resilient, and flexible.
The three tiers of the hierarchical model are Access, Distribution, and Core.

Access, Distribution, and Core Layers

The Access Layer provides network access to the user and is responsible for connecting end-user devices (like computers) to the network.
The Distribution Layer acts as the interface between the Access Layer and the Core Layer.
- It is responsible for aggregating Layer 2 broadcast domains, Layer 3 routing boundaries, and providing intelligent switching, routing, and network access policy functions.
The Core Layer acts as the network backbone, providing fault isolation, high-speed connectivity, network access control, and advanced routing functions.

Role of Switched Networks

A hierarchical switched LAN allows for more flexibility, traffic management, and additional features. These features include:
- Quality of service
- Additional security
- Wireless networking and connectivity support
- Support for new technologies

Form Factors

There are three types of switch configurations: fixed configuration, stackable configuration, and modular configuration.
Considerations for selecting switches include:
- Cost
- Port Density
- Power
- Reliability
- Port Speed
- Frame Buffers
- Scalability

The Switched Environment

Switching as a General Concept in Networking and Telecommunications

A LAN switch makes forwarding decisions based on the ingress port and destination address.
A LAN switch maintains a table to determine how to forward traffic.

Switch Forwarding Methods

There are three common switch forwarding methods: store-and-forward switching, cut-through switching, and fragment-free switching.

Store-and-Forward Switching

Store-and-Forward Switching features: error checking, automatic buffering, and it is Cisco’s primary LAN switching method.
The switch analyzes the entire frame before forwarding it, ensuring that the frame is error-free by comparing the FCS value in the last field against its own FCS calculations.

Cut-Through Switching

The switch makes a forwarding decision as soon as it determines the destination MAC address.
Cut-Through Switching can forward frames that contain errors (fragmentation).

Fragment-Free Switching

A modified version of cut-through switching.
The switch waits for the collision window (64 bytes) to pass before forwarding the frame.
This method provides better error checking than cut-through switching, with practically no increase in latency.

Collision Domains

In hub-based Ethernet segments, network devices compete for the medium and collisions will occur.
Ethernet switch ports operating in full duplex eliminate collisions.
Switch ports will autonegotiate full duplex if connected to a full duplex device.
If connected to a half-duplex device, the switch port will operate in half duplex and be part of a collision domain.

Broadcast Domains

One switch or multiple interconnected switches form a single broadcast domain.
When a switch receives a broadcast frame, it forwards the frame out each of its ports, except the ingress port.

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Description

This quiz covers essential concepts of LAN design, including switched networks and their benefits for small to medium businesses. It also explores Cisco Borderless Networks and the hierarchy of switched networks, focusing on the Access, Distribution, and Core layers. Test your understanding of network architecture principles!