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Cisco Catalyst Blade Switch 3130 for Dell Software Configuration Guide
OL-13270-01
Chapter1 Overview
Network Configuration Examples
You can use the switches and switch stacks to create the following:
•Data center (Figure 1-1)—For high-speed access to network resources, you can use switches and
switch stacks in the access layer to provide Gigabit Ethernet access to the blad e ser vers. To prevent
congestion, use QoS DSCP marking priorities on these switches. For high-speed IP forwarding at
the distribution layer, connect the switches in the access layer to a Gigabit multilayer switch in the
backbone, such as a Catalyst 4500 Gigabit switch or Catalyst 6500 Gigabit switch.
Figure1-1 Data Center
•Expanded data center (Figure 1-2)—You can use standalone switches and switch stacks to
interconnect groups of servers, centralizing physical security and administration of your network.
For high-speed IP forwarding at the distribution layer, connect the switches in the access layer to
multilayer switches with routing capability. The Gigabit interconnections minimize latency in the
data flow.
An evolving demand for IP telephony •Use QoS to prioritize applications such as IP telephony during congestion and to
help control both delay and jitter within the network.
•Use switches that support at least two queues per port to prioritize voice and data
traffic as either high- or low-priority, based on IEEE 802.1p/Q. The switch
supports at least four queues per port.
•Use voice VLAN IDs (VVIDs) to provide separate VLANs for voice t raffic.
A growing demand for using existing
infrastructure to transport data and
voice from a home or office to the
Internet or an intranet at higher
speeds
Use the Catalyst Long-Reach Ethernet (LRE) switches to provide up to 15Mb of IP
connectivity over existing infrastructure, such as existing telephone lines.
Note LRE is the technology used in the Catalyst 2950 LRE switch. See the
documentation sets specific to this switch for LRE information.
Table1-2 Providing Network Services (continued)
Network Demands Suggested Design Methods
Si
2
01756
Catalyst
4500 or 6500
multilayer switch
D
istribution layer
Access layer
Blade servers
Blade switch
Layer 3 StackWise Plu
s
switch stack
Core