In a typical Local-Area Network (LAN)# network, it is designed as a Hierarchical Network# involving multiple Switches# with three layers: core layer, distribution layer, access layer. Access layer consists of end devices, and defines a basic configuration and constraint on them on network connection. Distribution layer is where we will define routing policies, Virtual LAN (VLAN)#, access control, broadcast domains, and access layer traffic aggregation or funnelling. Core layer should be capable of handling large amounts of traffic with high performance, this means that it needs to be highly available and redundant. For cost saving, we can collapse or combine distribution layer and core layer into one single layer.
Note: Avoid redundancy at access layer due to the cost and variety of devices.
Note: If user applications need higher bandwidth than a single switch link could allow, it is useful to aggregates multiple switch port links (up to 8 GB) together in order to provide higher throughput between switches especially if they have bandwidth discrepancies. See Hierarchical Network#.