SMB Switch: Access Switch vs Aggregation Switch vs Core Switch|LinkNewNet

New Products

New Promotion

-50%

C9500-40X-A

$4000 $2000

-29%

C9300-24T-A

$1750 $1250

-31%

DS-C9250I-K9

$1600 $1100

-38%

WS-C2960L-48PQ-LL

$800 $500

-42%

A9K-750W-AC

$600 $350

New Accessories

SMB Switch: Access Switch vs Aggregation Switch vs Core Switch

Aug 17 , 2022 3984

There are so many kinds of switches in the market, which one should we buy? For most companies, they only need to buy SMB Switches. How do I choose the right SMB Switches? Below is the comparison among access switch, aggregation switch and core switch.

cisco switches.jpg

What is SMB Switch?

SMB switch is the small business switch, it always used in the small and medium-sized company. This switch is relative to some large, high-end switches. SMB switches support common Layer 2 protocols, but the performance and number of interfaces are weak.

Access switches, aggregation switches and core switches are another classification method.

In the data center or enterprise network planning, the network is hierarchical, divided into the access layer, aggregation layer, and the core layer. The switches placed in these three layers correspond to access switches, aggregation switches, and core switches.

access switch.gif

Hardware comparison:

In general, access switches are boxed devices (do TOR), but also boxed (such as EOR). Box switches are small in size, have few interfaces, and are not scalable.

The aggregation switch is both frame-sized, large in size, and has a large number of interfaces. Different boards can be inserted to meet different requirements and the scalability is better.

Performance, you can think of Core Switch > Aggregation Switch > Access Switch

aggregation switch.png

Functional comparison:

The access switch is used to access the terminal. The aggregation switch is used to aggregate the access switch. The core switch is used to aggregate the aggregation switch and is also responsible for connecting to the Internet.

functional comparison.png

Software comparison:

All of them support basic Layer 2 protocols. Then, depending on the needs, the three switches may need to additionally support different protocols.

For example, the core switch may also support Layer 3 functions and the TRILL protocol. The aggregation switch may also support FCoE and DCB. The access switch supports the 802.1Qbg and 802.1BR protocols.

When you buy the SMB switch for your company, you should choose the most suitable switch according to the actual needs, or you may waste some money.

If don’t know which model Cisco switch to buy, please feel free to contact us, our Linknewnet.com customer service will help you choose the best switch for you with the affordable price.

Next: How To Prevent Cisco Switches Network Loop?

Related Blogs

Sep 26 , 2024

What is the difference between a router and a switch?

In the modern networking world, we often use routers and switches for networking, and they play an important role in network circulation in their respective fields. Due to the many similarities in the functions of these two devices, many people are confused about what exactly is a router? What is a switch is more or less confused. What are the differences between them? Today we will reveal them one by one.

Sep 21 , 2024

Creating and Deleting VLANs on Cisco Switches

In modern enterprise networks, VLANs play a very important role in network transmission. Administrators can use VLANs to divide a physical switch into multiple logical switches to simplify network management and improve network performance and security. As network administrators, learning how to create and delete VLANs on Cisco Catalyst switches is a must-have skill.

Sep 10 , 2024

Cisco 3750X Switch vs 3850 Switch, which is better for your business?

When choosing an enterprise switch, network administrators and IT engineers often encounter a situation where they are torn between two models, especially products with similar performance, such as the Cisco 3750X and 3850 series is a typical example. These two switches, as Cisco's classics, have a wide range of applications in the market. So, what is the difference between these two? And how are they related to each other?

Sep 04 , 2024

What is console cable? How to manage the switch easily through console cable?

In modern IT equipment management, the switch is the core of the network, and to manage it in the simplest way during daily use, it is indispensable to support the Console cable. Although many people do not understand this small cable, but it is the network administrator's daily work in the “secret weapon”. Whether you are configuring a device for the first time or troubleshooting a problem, the console cable is an indispensable networking tool.

Aug 29 , 2024

How do I connect a Cisco wireless AP to a wireless controller?

Wireless access points are primarily responsible for providing wireless signal coverage and connectivity, while wireless controllers are responsible for centrally managing and optimizing the performance and security of multiple access points. Used in combination, the two can build an efficient, stable and secure wireless network. How to connect wireless controller with wireless access point

Jul 05 , 2022

Cisco Catalyst 2960 Series Switches Overview

Cisco Catalyst 2960 series switches provide services for conventional office, branches, workspaces, medium-sized deployments and infrastructure networks. This series offers forwarding bandwidths up to 100-108 Gigabyte per second (Gbps) and switching bandwidth, which is full duplex up to 216 Gigabyte per second (Gbps). In addition, this series includes several other sub-series: Cisco 2960S, Cisco 2960X, Cisco 2960+, Cisco 2960L, and 2960XR.

Jul 05 , 2022

How To Upgrade IOS On Cisco 3560 Switches?

Do you want to upgrade Cisco 3560 switch IOS? It is very easy, you only need to do these 4 steps. Below are the details about how to do it.

Jul 05 , 2022

Top 9 Reasons for Network Switches Failure

The switch will inevitably encounter failures during normal use. Network switch failures can cause network downtime, affecting our business, production, and damage to our property, so we have to troubleshoot and repair the switch in the shortest possible time. Here we introduce you to the 9 common hardware and software failures of the switch.

Jul 06 , 2022

What Are the 4 Types of Network Switches?

The Internet of Everything is inseparable from the essential network equipment - switches, which will play a vital role in the networking of the Internet of Things. Below is an introduction to four network switch architectures, their types include Cascade Connection,Port Aggregation,Stacking,Layered.

Jul 06 , 2022

How Do I Troubleshooting Cisco Switches Hardware Issue

During the daily use of the switch, we may encounter some failures, the faults of the switch are mainly divided into two categories. The first type is a hardware failure, which is a problem on the hardware. The second type is software failure, which is a problem inside the switch. Now let's troubleshooting the hardware failure.