6.0 One primary function of Spanning Tree Protocol (STP) is that it prevents loops in a switched network.
7.0 If an end station in one VLAN needs to communicate with a resource in another VLAN, a router is required to route the traffic from one VLAN to another. A bridge or a layer-2 switch can only switch frames within a VLAN.
8.0
8.1 The primary function of a Core Layer is to switch traffic
as fast as possible and providing connectivity between switch blocks,
WAN blocks and/ or any other blocks that may be present.
8.2
The Distribution Layer is responsible for routing traffic between
VLANs, Broadcast domain definition, Inter-VLAN routing, and security.
8.3 The Access Layer is responsible for Layer 2 services, such as
VLAN membership, traffic filtering based on broadcast or MAC addresses.
9,0 Important properties of Core/Distribution/Access Layer switches:
9.1 The devices functioning at Access Layer are usually characterized with higher port density and lower cost. These devices also provide LAN segmentation.
9.2 High speed switching is not a characteristic of Access layer. It is usually associated with Core layer.
9.3 The Catalyst 2950 switch can provide 12,24, or 48 10/100 BaseT ports. It also provides 2 100FX or 1000BASE-X uplinks. It is a Cisco recommended for Access Layer switch.
10. Gigabit Ethernet:
The following cable lengths are specified under Gigabit Ethernet
specification:
1000BaseCX: Copper shielded twisted pair: 25 meters
1000BaseT: Copper Cat 5 UTP, 4 pair: 100 meters
1000BaseSX: Multimode
fiber, 62.5 micron core: 260m
1000BaseLX: Single mode fiber,
9 micron core: 3 km
