Cisco Catalyst 6880-X Specifications download pdf (Page 11)

Introduction April 2014

Access Layer

The access layer is where user-controlled devices, user-accessible devices, and other end-point devices are

connected to the network. The access layer provides both wired and wireless connectivity and contains features

and services that ensure security and resiliency for the entire network.

Device Connectivity

The access layer provides high-bandwidth device connectivity. Once expensive options, high-bandwidth access

technologies like Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11n and 802.11ac wireless are now standard configurations on end-

user devices. While an end-user device in most cases will not use the full capacity of these connections for long

periods of time, the ability to burst up to these high bandwidths when performing routine tasks does help make

the network a transparent part of an end-users day-to-day job. The longer someone has to wait to back up their

machine, send an email, or open a file off an internal web page, the harder it is for the network to be transparent.

Figure 3 - Access layer connectivity

2085

Access

Switch

Wireless

Access Point

Personal

Telepresence

Handheld

IP PhoneUser

LAN, WAN

and Internet

It is common for many different types of devices to connect at the access layer. Personal computers, IP phones,

wireless access points, and IP video surveillance cameras all might connect to the same access layer switch.

Since it can be beneficial for performance, management, and security reasons to segment these different

devices, the access layer provides the capability to support many logical networks on one physical infrastructure.

Resiliency and Security Services

In general, the goal of the resiliency and security services in the infrastructure is to ensure that the network is

available for use without impairment for everyone that needs it. Because the access layer is the connection point

between the network and client devices, it plays a role in ensuring the network is protected from human error

and from malicious attacks. This protection includes making sure the devices connecting to the network do not

attempt to provide services to any end users that they are not authorized for, that they do not attempt to take

over the role of any other device on the network, and, when possible, that they verify the device is allowed on

the network.

Enabling these services in the access layer contributes not only to the overall security of the network, but also to

the resiliency and availability of the network.

Advanced Technology Capabilities

Finally, the access layer provides a set of network services that support advanced technologies. Voice and

video are commonplace in today’s organizations and the network must provide services that enable these

technologies. This includes providing specialized access for these devices, ensuring others do not impair the

traffic from these devices, and providing efficient delivery of traffic that is needed by many devices in the

network.

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Cisco Catalyst 6880-X Specifications Page 11

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