Hierarchical design

Question 1

What are the three layers of Hierarchical Design network?

Answer 1

Access Layer, Distribution Layer and Core Layer

Question 2

What is the access layer ?

Answer 2

Provides connection to hosts in a local Ethernet network.

Question 3

What is the distribution layer?

Answer 3

Connects access layer switches together and to the core layer devices that interconnect the distribution layer devices(which are connected to all the access layer device that are connected to end devices)

Question 4

What is the core layer?

Answer 4

Provides high-speed connection between distribution layer devices.

Question 5

Example of access layer devices

Answer 5

Layer 2 Switches, wireless access points,

Question 6

What is the difference between Layer 2 and Layer 3 switches?

Answer 6

Layer 2 switches forward data packets by MAC addresses. Layer 3 switches forwards data by IP addresses but also MAC addresses. Making Layer 3 switches able to forward data packets at both the access layer and distribution layer.

Question 7

Example of distribution layer device

Answer 7

Layer 3 switches, Routers

Question 8

Example of core layer devices

Answer 8

Routers and switches that perform greater routing capabilities than a distribution layer router and switch

Question 9

Can layer 2 switches route data between VLAN’s ?

Answer 9

No.

Question 10

Can layer 3 switches route data between VLAN’s?

Answer 10

Yes.

Question 11

How do ethernet switches differ from Ethernet hubs(that are not obsolete)?

Answer 11

They have a MAC address table to register each port with the MAC address of the device connected to that port. Then create a dedicated “circuit ” for communication between devices on that network. Allowing for multiple conversations to take place between all devices on that network without collision occurring. It does this by accepting and decoding frames to read the MAC address.