Enterprise Network on GNS3 – Part 2 – Access Layer
This is the second from the series of the articles that discuss a complete configuration of the enterprise network. Our enterprise campus network consists of the core, distribution and access layer. This network infrastructure design is called a three-tier network model. Each layer has specific function. The access layer provides access for end users to the network . They are two access switches located inside the access layer. The access switches OpenSwitch-Acc-I and OpenSwitch-Acc-II are OpenSwitch Qemu appliances installed on VMware VMDK disks. The switches run OpenSwitch network OS version 0.4.0 and they have assigned 1024 MB memory by GNS3. More details about building OpenSwitch appliance prior to version 2.0 can be found here.
The ports Ethernet 3 a and 4 on both switches are configured as access ports and they connect PC1 and PC4 to the campus network. The ports Ethernet 1 and Ethernet 2 are uplinks that connect access switches to the distribution switches. They are configured as trunk ports, carrying traffic from multiple VLANs. Thanks to redundant uplink connection, the access switches remain connected to the upper layer, even in case of the failure one of the distribution switches.

Picture 1 - Access Switches Connected Continue reading


