Omar Williams
Sr. Network Engineer
Cisco’s Catalyst switching family of switching solutions offers flexibility, speed, and scale for your network infrastructure. From fixed, stackable switches to modular switches, the Catalyst series switches securely connect enterprises, branches, and campus networks. Using the Cisco DNA Center or the Cisco Meraki dashboard, your network can be deployed and managed on-premises or in the cloud.
This article focuses on building a Cisco Catalyst Campus LAN infrastructure. We’ll explore planning, design, infrastructure, configuration, and implementation. Let’s get started.
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Network Switch Installation Planning
Pre-installation planning can eliminate potential issues and speed the time to deployment. Vendor engagement for the many components that make up the campus play a significant role. The initial planning phase must consider placement of IDFs (Intermediate Distribution Frames) and the MDF (Main Distribution Frame), LAN design models, Cisco LAN switches, cabling, equipment racks, and finally implementation.
Placement of your IDFs should consider the number of floors that will be occupied, number of users per floor, and the cabling distance from the MDF. This will aid in service degradation of the entire LAN due to distance limitations from cabling. This crucial step should not be overlooked in the deployment lifecycle. In addition, the physical size of the IDF must be planned for. The size of racks, safety equipment, KVM space, and ease of access need to be considered. The space should allow for growth as the Network expands and could require additional equipment.
Cisco Campus LAN Infrastructure Design
The design model chosen should be based on the requirements of the enterprise. Enterprises have varying needs. For smaller enterprises, the design can be simpler, as opposed to more complex designs for larger enterprises. The two main design models for a Cisco LAN infrastructure are the three tier and collapsed core designs. The three-layer design model has three distinct components — the access, distribution, and core layers — while the collapsed core combines the distribution and core layers. The core layer is a high-speed backbone for all user traffic, and the distribution layer is an aggregation point for all access layer switches, which is the entrance to the network for hosts. Organizations with fewer users may choose the collapsed core to lower cost and simplify the overall design. Larger organizations with more users may opt for the three-tier design model to manage the demand of more users. However, the three-tier model adds additional expense due to the extra layer’s hardware.
LAN Infrastructure Cisco Catalyst Switches
Organizations can choose from a plethora of Cisco LAN switches, and Cisco constantly updates its offerings. The switch chosen should be based on the applications that run on the network, their bandwidth requirements, number of users, and desired optional — but often necessary — features. The switches chosen should consider high availability and a degree of redundancy. The switches need power to remain available and thus should be outfitted with dual power supplies when budget allows. In addition, dual power grids are recommended to complement dual power supplies for true power redundancy. In some installations, a UPS (uninterruptable power supply) can be used for temporary power during an outage. In addition to power, depending on model, dual supervisors, which are the “brains” of some switches, can and should be outfitted. This feature typically is needed in the distribution and core layers. Dual supervisors help in the event one fails on the switch, and operation can continue uninterrupted. Access layer switches typically do not incorporate this feature, as they only connect a subset of end users.
Core switches are typically high-end switches with high forwarding capacity, high availability, and hardware redundancy. Distribution switches also require high forwarding capacity, high availability, and hardware redundancy. However, port density is a consideration to connect all access layer switches. Access layer switches are the entry point into the network for subsets of users and end hosts. Therefore, the requirements are not as critical because they do not affect the enterprise as a whole. These are typically lower end switches that are less expensive to deploy.
Network Server Racks for Cisco LAN
Racks are another important part in the deployment of a LAN. The equipment needs to be physically placed in racks in both the MDF and IDFs. The racks will need to consider the number of devices mounted and size of the hardware installed. Network racks are industry standard for width, though hardware components have varying degrees of depth. In addition, the rack must allow for the power components to be installed that connect to the network hardware. User preference will determine style from open face, fully secure doors, and cable management. Once the decision is made, racks are installed after power has been brought into the room and made ready for the equipment.
Network Switch Connection with LAN Cabling
The hardware on the network must be connected, so cabling is extremely important. There are cabling requirements for end user hosts and connections between switches in the distinctive design models. Copper and fiber are the two primary types of cables used in a LAN infrastructure. Distance, cost, and bandwidth requirements are driving factors.
The large amount of end users found in the access layer makes fiber cost prohibitive. Typically, a type of UTP (unshielded twisted pair) copper cabling can be used and is denoted by evolving categories (i.e., CAT6). The category will determine the distance and bandwidth. Therefore, the distance from access layer switches to the end users must be considered and known during the planning phase.
The distribution and core layers carry substantial amounts of traffic and therefore have higher bandwidth requirements. Fiber optic cabling is typically found at these layers. Bandwidth is more scalable with fiber; however, distance is still a factor. There are two types of fiber that can be used: SMF (single-mode fiber) and MMF (multi-mode fiber). Distance is the main difference. SMF is for longer distances and MMF for short distances. Knowing the distance from your access switches to your distribution switches and the distance from the distribution to the core will eliminate loss of connectivity due to distance limitations.
The applications on the network consume bandwidth and, therefore, the bandwidth requirements must also be accounted for when selecting cabling. Modeling of the environment beforehand to get an idea of the application requirements is recommended.
Networking Solution Configuration and Implementation
The configuration and implementation phase is where everything comes together. The Network has been designed, the switches chosen, racks selected, and cabling deployed. During this phase, the switch configuration features are determined per the design. Enabling features such as spanning tree protocol (STP), VoIP services, Wi-Fi, and access control is done during this phase. STP Root Bridge placement will need to be determined, along with enabling VLANs for end user logical separation. If desktop phones are used, the infrastructure must offer VoIP services via Voice VLANs. If Wi-Fi is being used in the environment, then the infrastructure must be configured to allow APs (access points). Configuration for all required features is done at this phase. Once the implementation is complete, thorough testing of the environment is done to verify a successful LAN deployment.
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