Which layer should provide the highest switching speeds?
- none of the above
- distribution
- access
- core
Explanation: In the Cisco hierarchical network design model, the core layer serves as the high-speed backbone for the entire campus network, and its primary objective is to switch packets as fast as possible. To maintain these maximum switching speeds, the core is designed with simplicity in mind, avoiding complex policy-based tasks such as packet manipulation, filtering, or sophisticated QoS services that are typically handled at the distribution layer. By focusing on providing nonstop connectivity, high redundancy, and near-immediate data-flow recovery, the core ensures that large volumes of traffic aggregated from the access and distribution layers move efficiently across the network without introducing unnecessary latency. This specialized focus on pure performance and availability makes the core the layer that requires the highest switching capacities and the fastest convergence within the enterprise architecture.
Related exam: Modules 1 – 7: Checkpoint Exam: Network Switching Answers (CCNP ENCOR v9)
