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1.3


Building-Block Approach
 


 

1.3.2


Scaling the switch block
 







Although the size of a switch block is
flexible, certain factors limit its size. The number of switches that
collapse into the distribution layer depends on several factors, such
as:

Different types and patterns of traffic
Amount of Layer 3 switching capacity
at the distribution layer
Number of users per access-layer
switch
Extent to which subnets need to
traverse geographical locations within the network
Size to which the spanning tree
domains should be allowed to grow

Sizing the switch block involves two
main factors:

Traffic types and behavior
Size and number of workgroups

A switch block is too large if:


A traffic bottleneck occurs in the
routers at the distribution layer because of intensive CPU
processing resulting from policy-based filters
Broadcast or multicast traffic slows
down the switches and routers