Network Architecture: 3-Tier Architecture Explained

Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the devices in the access layer?

To route traffic between devices

To connect multiple layer 3 switches together

To provide access to the network for devices (correct)

To switch traffic between layer 2 switches

What type of switch is likely to be used in the second tier of a three-tier architecture?

Layer 3 switch

Multilayer switch (correct)

Core switch

Layer 2 switch

What is the problem that a three-tier architecture solves?

Device communication between different layer 2 switches (correct)

Device communication with the internet

Device communication within the same layer 2 switch

Device communication between different networks

What is the purpose of the top tier in a three-tier architecture?

To connect devices to the network Signup and view all the answers

What is another name for a multilayer switch?

Switch router Signup and view all the answers

How many tiers are there in a three-tier architecture?

3 Signup and view all the answers

What type of devices are typically connected to a layer 2 switch?

Networked attached devices Signup and view all the answers

What is the benefit of using a multilayer switch in a three-tier architecture?

It enables layer 3 routing and layer 2 forwarding Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of cross-connecting device three and device four in the distribution layer?

To provide fault tolerance in case of a single device failure Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the layer that consists of devices three, four, E, F, G, and H?

Distribution Layer Signup and view all the answers

In the three-tier architecture, what is the primary function of the core layer?

To interconnect multiple blocks Signup and view all the answers

In the two-tier architecture, what is typically found at the top of a rack in a data center?

A rack switch Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary advantage of the two-tier architecture over the three-tier architecture?

Reduced number of devices Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the three-tier architecture?

Single point of failure at the access layer Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the concept of providing alternative paths for data transmission in case of a failure?

Fault tolerance Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the devices in the core layer?

To interconnect multiple blocks Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the layer that consists of devices one, two, A, and B?

Access Layer Signup and view all the answers

Why are hosts in a data center likely to have two network adapters?

To provide fault tolerance Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary goal of storage networks in terms of access to storage devices?

To provide high speed access for servers and computing resources Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of wide area networks (WANs) in terms of geography?

They span multiple geographic locations, often across a country or region Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of IPsec and tunneling in wide area networks?

To build logical overlays for secure data transmission Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of software defined networking (SDN) in network architectures?

To allow computer programs to define network configurations and behavior Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of the next video in the series, according to the speaker?

The three-tier architecture and its design principles Signup and view all the answers

What is the key benefit of using software defined networking in network architectures?

Greater flexibility and automation through programmable configurations Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the underlay and logical overlays in wide area networks?

The underlay is a physical connection, and the logical overlay is built on top of it Signup and view all the answers

What is the common thread among the four network architectures discussed?

They can all be implemented using software defined networking Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the switches in the leaf layer of a two-tier hierarchy in a data center?

Top of Rack (TOR) switches Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for having multiple TOR switches in a rack in a data center?

To provide redundancy and fault tolerance Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the layer in a two-tier hierarchy that connects to the leaf layer switches?

Backbone layer Signup and view all the answers

What is the key characteristic of a two-tier hierarchy in a data center?

No horizontal connectivity between devices at the same layer Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary difference between a two-tier hierarchy and a three-tier hierarchy?

Horizontal connectivity between devices at the same layer Signup and view all the answers

What type of network architecture is typically used in a campus environment?

Three-tier hierarchy Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the traffic flowing between the leaf layer and the spine layer in a two-tier hierarchy?

North-South traffic Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a storage network?

To connect storage devices to the network Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the architecture of a two-tier hierarchy in a data center?

Spine-leaf architecture Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between a TOR switch and a spine switch?

TOR switches are used in the leaf layer, while spine switches are used in the backbone layer Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Network Architecture Types

There are four specific network architecture types: three-tier architecture, two-tier architecture, storage network, and wide area network.

Three-Tier Architecture

The three-tier architecture is composed of three layers: access layer, distribution layer, and core layer.
The access layer is where devices connect to the network.
The distribution layer is where multiple access layers are connected together.
The core layer is responsible for interconnecting multiple distribution layers.
This architecture is often used in large enterprise environments with end users.
It provides high speed connectivity between devices and fault tolerance.

Two-Tier Architecture

The two-tier architecture is composed of two layers: leaf layer and spine layer.
The leaf layer is where hosts (e.g., servers) connect to switches (also known as top of rack switches).
The spine layer is where multiple leaf layers are connected together.
This architecture is often used in data center environments.
It provides high speed connectivity and fault tolerance.

Storage Network

A storage network is a specific type of network architecture designed for high-speed access from servers to storage devices.
It uses specific protocols and options for storage networking.
Storage networks will be explored in more detail in a separate video.

Wide Area Network

A wide area network (WAN) is a type of network architecture that connects devices over a large geographical area (e.g., across a country).
WANs use underlay (physical connections) and overlay (logical connections) technologies.
WANs often use IPsec and tunneling to secure connections.
Software defined networking (SDN) can be used to manage WANs.

Additional Concepts

Fault tolerance refers to the ability of a network to continue functioning even if one or more devices fail.
Cross-connectivity refers to the connections between devices at the same layer in a network architecture.
East-West traffic and North-South traffic will be explored in more detail in a separate video.

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Description

Learn about the concept of 3-tier architecture in network building, where devices are connected as building blocks. This video serves as an introduction to different network architecture types.

Network Architecture: 3-Tier Architecture Explained

Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of the devices in the access layer?

What type of switch is likely to be used in the second tier of a three-tier architecture?

What is the problem that a three-tier architecture solves?

What is the purpose of the top tier in a three-tier architecture?

What is another name for a multilayer switch?

How many tiers are there in a three-tier architecture?

What type of devices are typically connected to a layer 2 switch?

What is the benefit of using a multilayer switch in a three-tier architecture?

What is the primary purpose of cross-connecting device three and device four in the distribution layer?

What is the term used to describe the layer that consists of devices three, four, E, F, G, and H?

In the three-tier architecture, what is the primary function of the core layer?

In the two-tier architecture, what is typically found at the top of a rack in a data center?

What is the primary advantage of the two-tier architecture over the three-tier architecture?

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the three-tier architecture?

What is the term used to describe the concept of providing alternative paths for data transmission in case of a failure?

What is the primary function of the devices in the core layer?

What is the term used to describe the layer that consists of devices one, two, A, and B?

Why are hosts in a data center likely to have two network adapters?

What is the primary goal of storage networks in terms of access to storage devices?

What is the characteristic of wide area networks (WANs) in terms of geography?

What is the purpose of IPsec and tunneling in wide area networks?

What is the role of software defined networking (SDN) in network architectures?

What is the primary focus of the next video in the series, according to the speaker?

What is the key benefit of using software defined networking in network architectures?

What is the relationship between the underlay and logical overlays in wide area networks?

What is the common thread among the four network architectures discussed?

What is the term used to describe the switches in the leaf layer of a two-tier hierarchy in a data center?

What is the primary reason for having multiple TOR switches in a rack in a data center?

What is the term used to describe the layer in a two-tier hierarchy that connects to the leaf layer switches?

What is the key characteristic of a two-tier hierarchy in a data center?

What is the primary difference between a two-tier hierarchy and a three-tier hierarchy?

What type of network architecture is typically used in a campus environment?

What is the term used to describe the traffic flowing between the leaf layer and the spine layer in a two-tier hierarchy?

What is the purpose of a storage network?

What is the term used to describe the architecture of a two-tier hierarchy in a data center?

What is the main difference between a TOR switch and a spine switch?

Study Notes

Network Architecture Types

Three-Tier Architecture

Two-Tier Architecture

Storage Network

Wide Area Network

Additional Concepts

Studying That Suits You

Description

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