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Difficulty: MediumNetwork Topology Architectures

An enterprise is deploying a Collapsed Core network topology for a newly acquired medium-sized facility. Which two architectural traits or design implications characterize a Collapsed Core topology when compared to a traditional three-tier campus design? (Select two.)

  1. The functional responsibilities of high-speed backbone routing and distribution-layer security/policy enforcement are consolidated into a single physical switch tier.Answer
  2. B
    Access layer switches must form a direct physical full mesh with each other to eliminate Layer 2 spanning tree dependencies.
  3. Capital outlay and operational complexity are minimized by reducing the total required physical switch count and inter-tier cabling.Answer
  4. D
    Layer 2 loops are inherently impossible, allowing Spanning Tree Protocol to be completely disabled across all access ports.

Answer

A Collapsed Core topology combines the core and distribution layer functions into a single pair of switches, reducing hardware expenditure and operational complexity while combining routing boundaries and policy enforcement.
A Collapsed Core design combines core-layer transport and distribution-layer routing and security policy controls into the same physical switches. This architectural reduction significantly lowers hardware costs, rack space, power requirements, and management overhead for environments that do not require a separate dedicated core tier.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the structural difference between Three-Tier and Collapsed Core architectures.
A traditional three-tier network contains distinct Core, Distribution, and Access layers. Collapsed Core merges Core and Distribution functions into one tier.
Understanding tier consolidation clarifies which functional boundaries overlap.
2
Evaluate the operational benefits of tier consolidation.
Eliminating a dedicated core hardware tier saves capital costs and lowers switch count and cabling complexity.
This identifies cost and deployment advantages characteristic of smaller or medium enterprise sites.
3
Evaluate Layer 2 loop considerations in redundant topologies.
Dual-homed uplinks from access switches to two collapsed core switches still form Layer 2 physical loops, requiring STP.
Consolidating tiers does not eliminate broadcast loops on redundant Layer 2 trunks.

Key Concept

Collapsed Core Architecture Traits and Considerations
Estimated Time:1m 15s
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Topics

Network Topology Architectures

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