300-420 Question 64
Single answerAn enterprise network design includes multiple buildings connected to a core network. The design must ensure high availability, scalability, and simplified management. Which design approach should be used to meet these requirements?
- A
Collapsed Core design with Layer 2 access switches in each building
- B
Three-tier architecture with a dedicated distribution layer in each building
- C
Flat Layer 2 network design across all buildings
- D
Spine-and-Leaf architecture with redundant uplinks to the core
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
The three-tier architecture is the recommended design for advanced enterprise campus networks. It separates the network into access, distribution, and core layers, ensuring high availability through redundant paths, scalability by supporting more devices, and simplified management by dividing roles and responsibilities. This design aligns with Cisco's hierarchical model and best practices for enterprise campus networks.
- A. Incorrect.
Collapsed Core design simplifies the architecture by combining the core and distribution layers, but it can limit scalability and high availability when used with Layer 2 access switches in a large enterprise.
- B. Correct.
Three-tier architecture with a dedicated distribution layer in each building provides scalability, high availability, and simplified management by segregating roles between access, distribution, and core layers.
- C. Incorrect.
Flat Layer 2 network design is not recommended for large enterprise networks due to scalability and high availability limitations, as well as potential issues like spanning-tree protocol instability.
- D. Incorrect.
Spine-and-Leaf architecture is commonly used in data centers rather than enterprise campus networks. While it offers scalability, it does not align with the hierarchical campus design model.