Switch Overview

Module 1

Objectives
This module introduces you to the HP switch portfolio. It also describes basic
networking switch technologies.
After completing this module, you should be able to:
List features of the three HP switch series and the type of network to which each
series is targeted
Describe the different ways to classify switches, based on the switchs form
factor, manageability, or Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) functionality
Describe the differences among unmanaged, Web-managed, and managed
switches
Explain the different environments where switches are deployed

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HP Switch Series

HP Switch Series
HP Switch Series
A-Series
E-Series
V-Series
Categorizing Switches
4747010200356615

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HP has divided its extensive product portfolio of ProCurve and 3Com switches into
the HP Advanced, or A; Essential, or E; and Value, or V, Series. The next few slides
will introduce you to these product series and their target business customer.

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 Switch Overview

HP A-Series

HP A-Series
Designed for:
Large or complex deployments
Includes:
Robust
networking solutions from the
H3C division of 3Com
Benefits:
Single platform
Single-pane-of-glass management
High capability
Mission-critical design
Advanced power management
Best-in-class performance
Flexibility allowing for customization

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The HP A-Series is designed for customers who have large or complex deployments
and are seeking advanced technology to drive competitive advantage through their
IT infrastructure at a lower cost of ownership. Built on robust networking solutions
from the H3C division of 3Com, the A-Series offers the following advantages to these
customers:
Single platform (a common operating system from edge to core)
Single-pane-of-glass management
High capability
Mission-critical design
Advanced power management
Best-in-class performance
Flexibility allowing for customization

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HP E-Series

HP E-Series
Designed for:
Business
customers with changing
networking needs

Includes:
Networking solutions from ProCurve
and 3Com

Benefits:
Deployment simplicity
Single-pane-of-glass management
Industry-leading lifetime warranty
Reduced total cost of ownership
(TCO)

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Competitive advantage and cost-cutting initiatives have led businesses to seek a more
agile infrastructure that can adapt to the changing needs of customers, employees,
and the business itself. And in the current economic climate especially, the need for
flexible, scalable solutions is all the more pressing.
The HP E-Series is designed for customers with changing networking needs who are
looking for essential and proven technology that is easy to use, easy to deploy,
reliable, future proof, and cost effective. Combining networking solutions from HP
ProCurve and 3Com, the E-Series offers these customers:
Deployment simplicity
Single-pane-of-glass management
Industry-leading lifetime warranty
Reduced total cost of ownership (TCO)

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 Switch Overview

HP V-Series

HP V-Series
Designed for:
Value-conscious customers in
small office environments

Includes:
Networkingsolutions from
ProCurve and 3Com

Benefits:
Plug-and-play installation
Ease of operation
Industry-leading
lifetime warranty
on most products

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Finally, the HP V-Series is designed for value-conscious customers who are in small
office environments and seek reliable and easy-to-use connectivity solutions. The V-
Series combines networking solutions from HP ProCurve and 3Com that offer the
following advantages:
Plug-and-play installation
Ease of operation
Industry-leading lifetime warrantyThe majority of the V-Series switches have a
lifetime warranty, but for a complete overview go to
http://h17007.www1.hp.com/us/en/support/warranty/index.aspx.

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Categorizing Switches

Categorizing Switches
HP Switch Series
Categorizing Switches
Form factor
OSI Layer functionality
Deployment options

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This section describes how switches can be categorized based on their form factor,
manageability, and functionality. They can also be categorized based on where they
are deployed on the network. For example, switches that provide network access to
endpoint devices are often called LAN access or access layer switches.

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 Switch Overview

Categorizing Switches Based on Form Factor or

Manageability

Categorizing Switches Based on Form Factor

or Manageability
Fixed-port switch
Stackable switch
Modular switch
Managed switch
Web-managed switch
Unmanaged switch
Non-blocking switch

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HP Networkings portfolio includes a variety of switch types, which support a variety

of options and capabilities. Sometimes the easiest way to categorize switches is
based on their form factor or their manageability. Understanding the following terms
will help you identify some of the key differences between switches.
Fixed-port switchA switch that has a limited, predefined number of ports.
Typically, a fixed switch is one rack unit (RU) and is a stackable switch as well.
Stackable switchA switch that can be connected to one or more other
stackable switches for ease of management and operation. Typically, stackable
switches have a fixed number of ports and are rack mountableeither a one or
two rack unit (RU).
Vendors implement stackable switches in different ways. For example, some
vendors use proprietary protocols, specialized management application, and
special-purpose ports to connect the stackable switches. With its newer stackable
switches, HP uses virtual IP stacking, in which all the stackable switches share a
virtual IP address. You can manage all the switches by accessing this virtual IP
address.

Note
Only older, formerly branded ProCurve stackable switches, such as the ProCurve
2512 and 2524, require a stacking kit and special-purpose ports.

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Modular switchA switch that does not have a defined number of ports. The
switchs ports are part of a modulea hardware componentthat can be
inserted into or removed from the switch. The switchs port capacity is, therefore,
determined by which modules are installed.
Managed switchA switch that supports the Simple Network Management
Protocol (SNMP) and allows you to control each ports communication
parameters. For example, you can enable or disable a managed switchs
individual ports, configure link speeds, and determine duplex settings.
These are the minimum capabilities for a managed switch. Most managed
switches provide a variety of other features as well, such as local mirroring (also
called port mirroring), quality of service (QoS), and port security.
Web-managed switchA managed switch that is managed only through a
Web browser interface.
Unmanaged switchA switch that enables Ethernet devices to communicate but
does not have a management interface. You simply connect the switch to other
devices, and the network is operational. Unmanaged switches are intended for
networks that require basic connectivity and have little or no IT support. They are
cost-effective and offer intuitive and simple configuration.
Non-blocking switchA switch for which the backplane speed or internal
switching mechanism bandwidth is at least as large as the sum of the speeds of
all of the ports.

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 Switch Overview

Categorizing Switches Based on the OSI Model

Categorizing Switches Based on the OSI

Model
7 Application Layer

6 Presentation Layer

5 Session Layer

Layer 4 Switch
4 Transport Layer
Policy-Based
Switching
3 Network Layer Layer 3 Switch
Dynamic Routing Application-Based
Protocols Prioritization
Layer 2 Switch
2 Data Link Layer Ethernet
IP Static
Routes
1 Physical Layer

OSI Protocol Stack

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Switches can also be categorized by their ability to perform functions that are
defined in the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model. Developed to ensure that
network devices interoperate, the OSI model divides network architecture into seven
layers which, from top to bottom, are the Application, Presentation, Session,
Transport, Network, Data-Link, and Physical Layers. This course focuses on layers 1-4.

Layer 1
The Physical Layer consists of the standards that control devices physical connections
to each other using, for example, cables and connectors. This layer controls the
transmission of information by specifying the mechanical and electrical
characteristics of the protocol: connector size, pin assignments, voltage levels, and so
forth. This layer can also deal with cable specificationshow far apart the
communication devices can be placed from one another, for example.
On switches, routers, and wireless devices, you can use the port LEDs (which are
sometimes called link lights) to monitor and troubleshoot the physical connection.
(The LEDs on HP networking devices are described later in this course.)

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Layer 2
The Data Link Layer is primarily concerned with packaging data packets and
controlling their transmission between two endpoints as well as with arranging bits
received from the Physical Layer into logical frames. The Data Link Layer may detect
errors and corruption that occur at Layer 1, the Physical Layer.
The Data Link Layer is divided into two sub layers: the Media Access Control (MAC)
Layer and the Logical Link Control Layer. The MAC sublayer controls how a computer
sends data across a network and how the network will receive it. It also handles how
devices are permitted to transmit data. The Logical Link Control Layer dictates frame
synchronization and flow control.

Layer 3
The Network Layer uses logical addresses, or IP addresses, to facilitate
communication across networks. Routers and switches that operate at Layer 3
perform network routing functions. Using Layer 3 protocols such as IP, these devices
can connect multiple networks, determining which traffic should be routed to
Network A versus Network B versus Network C, and so on.
In addition, Layer 3 functions include error handling, congestion control, and packet
sequencing. This means that routers and Layer 3 switches might also perform
fragmentation and reassembly, and report delivery errors.

Layer 4
The Transport Layer handles the transfer of data between devices. Protocols
operating at this layer can use flow control and error control mechanisms to ensure
the delivery of data. TCP and UDP function at the Transport Layer.

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 Switch Overview

Layer 2, 3, and 4 Switches

Layer 2, 3, and 4 Switches

Layer 2 Layer 3 Layer 4

Forward traffic based on Route traffic based on IP Enable policy-based
MAC address address switching
Support application-based
prioritization

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Layer 2 Switch
A Layer 2 switch forwards traffic based on the frames Layer 2 information
specifically the MAC address. Because the switch operates at Layer 2, it is also
sometimes called a bridge.

Layer 3 Switch
A Layer 3 switch can forward traffic based on the frames Layer 3 informationits IP
address, for exampleas well as based on Layer 2 information. A Layer 3 switch
functions as a router (although a Layer 3 switch does not support WAN connections
as described in Module 19: Router Overview). A primary differentiation between a
Layer 3 switch and a router is that the Layer 3 switch typically forwards traffic more
quickly than a router. This difference arises because the Layer 3 switch makes
forwarding decisions at the hardware-level, dynamically reprogramming hardware
with current routing information.
A Layer 3 switch can forward IP traffic between directly connected virtual LANs using
Layer 3 information. They can also exchange route information with other Layer 3
switches or routers. The IP forwarding capabilities of these switches make them ideal
distribution or core level devices.
In addition to forwarding traffic based on IP address, Layer 3 switches deal with
error handling, congestion control, and packet sequencing.

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Light Layer 3 Switches

Light Layer 3 switches can perform basic Layer 3 tasks. They can, for example,
facilitate static routing. They may also support Routing Information Protocol (RIP), but
they do not support Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) or other dynamic routing
protocols.

Layer 4 Switch
A Layer 4 switch supports policy-based switching and can prioritize or limit traffic
based on the type of application being used. To identify the application, the switch
examines the packet header and locates the port number, which is found in Layer 4,
the Transport Layer. Essentially, a Layer 4 switch can make switching decisions and
prioritize traffic based on multiple factors, such as IP address and TCP and UDP port
numbers.
For example, a company could configure policies to ensure that video-conferencing
traffic receives priority over FTP or HTTP traffic.

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 Switch Overview

Deployment Options

Deployment Options

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Switches can also be categorized by where they are deployed on the network.

Data Center
The data center (often referred to in a mid-market business network as a server closet,
a scaled-down version of an enterprise data center) is home to a networks
computational power, storage, and applications. Data center switches often provide
front-to-back (reversible) airflow to reduce cooling expenses; redundant hot-
swappable power supplies and hot-swappable fan trays for resiliency; and enhanced
port buffering for demanding, high-availability applications.

Core
The core is the backbone of the network, a central or common point where traffic
flows between users, their workgroups, and shared resources. Most inter-workgroup
traffic flows through the core, so it is important that networking devices located in the
core introduce little or no delay (latency). Core switches are usually wire-speed,
highly available devices.

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Distribution
Distribution switches are consolidation points for switches that connect directly to end
stations. Distribution points are often called Main Distribution Frames (MDF) or
Intermediate Distribution Frames (IDF) and may be part of a computer room.
Distribution points may include voice and data wiring. In large networks, the
distribution layer typically implements broadcast control among VLANs and
physically distinct LANs. The Layer 3 switches make broadcast control possible.

LAN Access
Switches at the LAN access layer connect directly to end stations, such as PCs,
laptops, and printers. A LAN access switch is the last switch between end stations
and shared network resources. LAN access switches are often located in wiring
closets, with cable runs that terminate in user cubicles or offices.

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Summary

Summary
HP switches are divided into Advanced (A), Essential (E),
and Value (V) series.
HP switches can be categorized by form factor,
management options, OSI functionality, and network
deployment location.

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This module has introduced you to the HP Advanced (A), Essential (E), and Value (V)
series of switches, which encompass products from HP ProCurve, 3Com, and the
H3C division within 3Com. You are now familiar with the types of switches in each
series, and the customers for which each type was designed.
This module also looked at ways to categorize switches, based on form factors and
management options. It also introduced the roles that different types of HP switches
play within the OSI model, and where in the network you would find these HP
switches. You should now have a good idea of what types of switches you will
encounter when troubleshooting an HP customers network.

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