CCNA Exploration: LAN Switching and Wireless 

Chapter 1 Case Study

Objectives:

• Describe hierarchical network design

• Consolidate the function of the three levels

Intro:

Green Inc. is expanding and just got another floor on the building they have their main office. The new
floor will also need to be connected to Green’s network and, because no hierarchy layers were used on
the first network design they called you for help.

Topology (original):

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CCNA Exploration: LAN Switching and Wireless 
Chapter 1 Case Study

The Scenario:

As shown on the topology above, no hierarchy design was used. Foreseeing Green’s growth, you
decided to design an entirely new network based on the hierarchical model in order to deliver
performance, scalability and redundancy.

Problem 1 – Performance.

Within Green Inc. Network, network 1 users need to frequently access a database stored in Server 1.
Network 2 users also frequently access a database stored in Server 2.

You take a look on the topology handed to you (shown above) and, notice a few performance problems
that could be easily solved by a better design.

On the topology above, link A is saturated because of traffic from network 1 to server 1and to the Internet.

Link B is also saturated because of traffic from network 2 to server 2 and to the Internet.

Link C is heavily used because of traffic from network 1 and 2 to the servers and Link D is shared by all
users and devices for traffic sent to the internet.

Problem 2 – Scalability.

Green’s network doesn’t scale easily at the moment. R1 router has no interfaces left and the S1 and S2
switches have all their ports taken. If a new network or department becomes necessary, the current
topology won’t accept it easily.

Problem 3 – Redundancy.

Green’s has no backup links or equipment right now. If any of their links or devices fail, traffic forwarding
disruption will occur. Some failures will cause bigger disruptions (a R1 router failure would stop the entire
network) other will cause smaller disruptions (a Link A failure would stop network 1 operations) but traffic
disruption would happen regardless.

After analyzing Green’s network problems, you present a new design created to address Green’s network
main problems. Your new designed is based on The Hierarchical Model.

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CCNA Exploration: LAN Switching and Wireless 
Chapter 1 Case Study

Topology (based on the Hierarchical Model)

The Solution - Performance

On the new design shown above, server 1 and 2 were strategically placed under switches D1 and D2
respectively. This change makes the network diameter shorter for traffic sent from network 1 to server 1
and from network 2 to server 2.

The new server placement also splits server 1 and server 2 traffic, keeping the same link from dealing
with both traffic loads simultaneously.

The overall performance is incomparably improved.

The Solution - Scalability

With your new design, Green’s network is divided into layers. This “modularity” allows Green’s network to
scale easier. For instance, the new department was added by simply including a new access switch to the

© 2009 Cisco Learning Institute

 
 
CCNA Exploration: LAN Switching and Wireless 
Chapter 1 Case Study

topology and by connecting it to distribution switch D2. Even under the situation D2 runs out of ports, a
new distribution switch could be easily added to network to handle the traffic need.

The Solution – Redundancy

Green people made clear that their network connectivity is very important to them and your new design
considers redundancy very much.

On your new topology shown above, two different links to the networks external to Green’s network
(outside networks) and two core switches (C1 and C2) are used for redundancy. Core switches C1 and
C2 reach such links via R1 and R2 respectively and are also connected to each other. This enables C1 to
also use R2 (or C2 to also use R1) to reach the outside in case of a failure of R1 or R2. R1, R2, C1 and
C2 belong to the Core Layer.

Switches D1 and D2 are part of the distribution layer and interconnect the core to the access layer. As
shown on the topology, D1 and D2 are connected to both C1 and C2 and to each other for redundancy.

S1, S2, S3, S4 and S5 are part of the access layer and are all connected to both D1 and D2 for
redundancy, as well.

Conclusion:

The new Green network design is more robust, more efficient and more reliable because it is based on
the Hierarchical Model. From this point other functions like security and easier management can be easily
implemented.

© 2009 Cisco Learning Institute