Access Layer Switches

Access Layer Switches
The access layer, as you already know, is where users gain access to the internetwork. The
switches deployed at this layer must be able to handle connecting individual desktop devices to
the internetwork. The switches here are usually characterized as having a large number of ports
and being low cost. Most access switches don’t have a lot of frills.
Using Cisco Catalyst Products 399
The Cisco solutions at the access layer include the following:
2950 Provides switched 10/100 Mbps to the desktop. All ports are capable of full duplex, and
options include Gigabit Ethernet interfaces. The standard Cisco IOS means that the switch supports
functionality for basic data, video, and voice services. All Catalyst 2950 and 2955 switches also support
the Cisco Cluster Management Suite (CMS) software, which allows users to use a standard web
browser to simultaneously configure and troubleshoot multiple Catalyst desktop switches.
3550 Provides a range of stackable selections that can be used as access switches with the
Standard Multilayer Software Image (SMI). Many options are available, including 24 and 48
ports, inline power for IP telephony, and a range of 10/100/1000Mbps ports.
If power for IP phones is required but a switch with inline power is not available,
Cisco also has a product called the Inline Power Patch Panel that adds
inline power to an existing Catalyst switch.
4000 Provides a 10/100/1000Mbps advanced high-performance enterprise solution for up to
96 users and up to 36 Gigabit Ethernet ports for servers. Some models also support the delivery
of inline power for IP telephones.