Switch topology - Mesh

  • Thread starter Thread starter Paulwwu
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Paulwwu

Can I make a topology of my switches as a mesh (i.e. each switch has a
uplink to every other switch), or is this a special requirement for
the switches? My thoughts for doing this is to create a multi-path
network.
 
Paulwwu said:
Can I make a topology of my switches as a mesh (i.e. each switch has a
uplink to every other switch), or is this a special requirement for
the switches? My thoughts for doing this is to create a multi-path
network.
Click to expand...

You can if you have managed switches that support spanning-tree. Rather
than a full mesh, maybe just 2 paths? Spanning-tree, as good as it is,
isn't perfect. The more complex your mesh, the longer it will take your
switched network to converge.

....kurt
 
Full mesh is done at the backbone between Routers. There is less of them then
there are switches, so it is much easier to do. But not all routers have a lot
of ports to work with.
Dynamic Routing protocols will "keep it all straight".

You can run multple paths with switches,...but the Spanning Tree Protocol (STP)
will shutdown all but one path and will only open one if the first one goes
down. Full mesh with switches is probably way over-kill and will waiste too many
valuble switchports. It is typically done with just a couple redundant paths,
and it is not between every switch. It is usually done with switches wired into
a circular pattern. If a cable goes down the packets can go the
"other-way-around" the circle.

[switch1]----[switch2]------[switch3]
| |
[switch4] [switch5]
| |
[switch6]-----[switch7]-----[switch8]

This will be all one subnet (broadcast domain) unless VLans are used.
I suppose you could add a couple other links, but I wouldn't get too carried
away with it. For one thing, STP will hide the fact that a cable might be
broken or a switch port goes bad,...you make it too complex and it will be a
real hassel to sort out problems.

Hope that makes sense. If I am "off" somewhere the other guys in here can chime
in.

--
Phillip Windell
www.wandtv.com

The views expressed, are my own and not those of my employer, or Microsoft, or
anyone else associated with me, including my cats.
 
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