Does it need a core switch for the 100-channel surveillance system? Before get the answer, we should know the function of switches in different layers.

ACCESS LAYER

The switches in this layer are directly connected to computers and enable various resources to access the network. They also provide users with the ability to access applications on the local network segment and satisfy the demand of inter-accessing between neighbors as well as the sufficient bandwidth for these accesses.

AGGREGATION LAYER

Playing the role of an intermediary between the access layer and core layer, the switches in the aggregation layer are supposed to reduce the load of equipment in the core layer. There are many functions in the aggregation layer, including policy implementation, security, workgroup access, routing between VLANs, source address or destination address filtering, and so on.

CORE LAYER

The main purpose is to provide fast and reliable backbone data exchange through high-speed forwarding communications.

WHAT IS THE CORE SWITCH?

Core switch is not a type of switch, but a switch in the core layer, the backbone of the network. Generally, the core switch would be used in the network systems of large enterprises or Internet cafes to strengthen network extensibility to protect the original resources.

WHY USE A CORE SWITCH? DOES IT NEED A CORE SWITCH FOR THE 100-CHANNEL SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM?

Basically, the system under 50 channels, you don't need a core switch. A Layer 2 switch and a router could meet the needs. While, it needs the routing function of the core switch in the system over 100 channels.

Although the 100-channel system is a medium-sized network, the data delay would happen at any time.

1. All the surveillance equipment is in one subnet if without the core switch, potentially creating a broadcast storm to break the entire network. Also, the security is poor.

2. The Layer 3 core switch realizes IP routing function by using hardware switching mechanism, and its optimized routing software makes the routing process more efficient and solves the speed problem of traditional router software. As mentioned above, Layer 3 core switches also play an important role in connecting subnets with guaranteed speed and high efficiency.

In a large-scale system, it needs VLAN to reduce the number of computers for being too many in the same network. And the IP subnets have to be divided to prevent broadcast storms. The task between the subnets depends on the Layer 3 switches, which are the backbone of the network.

3. Extensibility. The subnet is only logically connected to layer 3 switching module when there are multiple subnets connected to layer 3 switch, and it doesn’t need extra routers and additional ports. If there is a need to add network equipment, it can be expanded directly without changing the original network layout and original equipment because of the interfaces reserved for various expansion modules, thus protecting the original resources.

4. High security. The layer 3 switch is at the core of the network layer, which is supposed to be the target for cyber hackers. A higly reliable firewall configured at software can block unidentified packets. At the same time, it can limit internal users from accessing particular IP addresss through ACL.