I am working with my daughter's school and their part-time network admin to upgrade their network infrastructure. They want to implement a backbone that will fully utilize some fiber already in the building between (4) locations, using (4) Cisco 3508 switches. They have/can get enough GBIC's for fiber and copper connectivity, but the intent is to use all the fiber that they can for the backbone, and then connect via copper to switches at each node. A number of 62.5/125 fiber lines were installed a number of years ago, but most were left dark. We've confirmed that the distances (all <~400 ft) are acceptable for Gig throughput on each fiber.
They have a basic layout of fiber like this:
[Node 210] ==3 fibers== [Node SR] ==3 fibers== [Node WR] ==2 fibers== [Node 110]
I know different manufacturers call it different names, but we're intending to "trunk", "bind" or "port aggregate" the fiber lines at each node together to get maximum bandwidth along the backbone, and then connect copper GBic's to uplink local switches to the backbone.
Can someone point me to the correct terminology for Cisco equipment regarding "trunking" and possibly the related commands to implement a "best business practice" backbone with trunking in this situation.
If it helps to know some details:
- Node 210 supports 6th-8th grade (expected to need heavier use of network, including mobile lab of up to 30 netbooks on wifi);
- Node SR is the server room, switches with connectivity to workstations in the admin area and 4th-5th grade classrooms
- Node WR has the router that connects to the Internet, and switches for 2nd-3rd grade classrooms in the area
- Node 110 has a switch for connectivity to K-2nd classrooms, computer lab, and other multi-use rooms.
Thanks!