Small To Medium-Sized Network Configuration - Cisco Catalyst 2950 Software Configuration Manual

Chapter 1 Overview

Small to Medium-Sized Network Configuration

Figure 1-2
e-mail, file-sharing, database, and Internet access.
You optimize network performance by placing workstations on the same logical segment as the servers
they access most often. This divides the network into smaller segments (or workgroups) and reduces the
amount of traffic that travels over a network backbone, thereby increasing the bandwidth available to
each user and improving server response time.
Figure 1-2
Catalyst 2900 XL,
Catalyst 3550, and
Catalyst 3500 XL
GigaStack cluster
A network backbone is a high-bandwidth connection (such as Fast Ethernet or Gigabit Ethernet) that
interconnects segments and network resources. It is required if numerous segments require access to the
servers. The Catalyst 2900 XL, Catalyst 2950, Catalyst 3500 XL, and Catalyst 3550 switches in this
network are connected through a GigaStack GBIC on each switch to form a 1-Gbps network backbone.
This GigaStack can also be configured as a switch cluster, with primary and secondary command
switches for redundant cluster management.
Workstations are connected directly to the 10/100 switch ports for their own 10- or 100-Mbps access to
network resources (such as web and mail servers). When a workstation is configured for full-duplex
operation, it receives up to 200 Mbps of dedicated bandwidth from the switch.
78-11380-12
shows a configuration for a network that has up to 250 users. Users in this network require
Small to Medium-Sized Network Configuration
Cisco 2600 router
100 Mbps
(200 Mbps full duplex)
Catalyst 2950,
Single workstations
Gigabit
server
1 Gbps
(2 Gbps full duplex)
Gigabit
server
10/100 Mbps
(20/200 Mbps full duplex)
Catalyst 2950 and Catalyst 2955 Switch Software Configuration Guide
Network Configuration Examples
1-15