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8.6

Why use interlinks between Cisco switches

Asked by ally0000 in Network Design & Methodology, Network Operations

Hi,

I am trying to understand exactly why there are interlinks (either trunks, etherchannel or layer 3 router links) between the switches in the access (or distribution) layer of Cisco's 3 layer network design model. The design states that a server can have dual NIC's which can be teamed, with one NIC conneting to switch SW-A and one to switch SW-B, which in turn connect to the disctribution switches....see the attached design.

I need to know why these links are there as, from what I can see, if any of the links or switches fail then there is still a route out without needing to use the interlink. From an earlier question I asked, these interlinks are there to allow VSS (Virtual Switching System) to be employed when using 6500 seried switches or to monitor a heartbeat between the pair, but is that the only reason? What about when there are layer 3 links between these switches in a smaller deployment?

Also, why would you choose to use layer 3 links over a layer 2 technology such as etherchannel in this situation?

Thanks for your time,

Ally

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Why use interlinks between Cisco switches

Asked by ally0000 in Network Design & Methodology, Network Operations

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