Distribution Layer Functionality

This section describes distribution layer functions and the interaction of the distribution layer with the core and access layers.

The Role of the Distribution Layer

The distribution layer represents both a separation between the access and core layers and a connection point between the diverse access sites and the core layer. The distribution layer determines department or workgroup access and provides policy-based connectivity.

Following are the characteristics of the distribution layer:

■ Distribution layer devices control access to resources that are available at the core layer and must therefore use bandwidth efficiently.

■ In a campus environment, the distribution layer aggregates wiring closet bandwidth by concentrating multiple low-speed access links into a high-speed core link and using switches to segment workgroups and isolate network problems to prevent them from affecting the core layer.

Similarly, in a WAN environment, the distribution layer aggregates WAN connections at the edge of the campus and provides policy-based connectivity.

■ This layer provides redundant connections for access devices. Redundant connections also provide the opportunity to load-balance between devices.

■ The distribution layer represents a routing boundary between the access and core layers and is where routing and packet manipulation are performed.

■ The distribution layer allows the core layer to connect diverse sites while maintaining high performance. To maintain good performance in the core, the distribution layer can redistribute between bandwidth-intensive access-layer routing protocols and optimized core routing protocols. Route filtering is also implemented at the distribution layer.

■ The distribution layer can summarize routes from the access layer to improve routing protocol performance. For some networks, the distribution layer offers a default route to access-layer routers and runs dynamic routing protocols only when communicating with core routers.

■ The distribution layer connects network services to the access layer and implements policies for QoS, security, traffic loading, and routing. For example, the distribution layer addresses different protocols' QoS needs by implementing policy-based traffic control to isolate backbone and local environments. Policy-based traffic control prioritizes traffic to ensure the best performance for the most time-critical and time-dependent applications.

■ The distribution layer is often the layer that terminates access layer VLANs (broadcast domains); however, this can also be done at the access layer.

■ This layer provides any media transitions (for example, between Ethernet and ATM) that must occur.

Policy-Based Connectivity

Policy-based connectivity means implementing the policies of the organization (as described in Chapter 2, "Applying a Methodology to Network Design"). Methods for implementing policies include the following:

■ Filtering by source or destination address

■ Filtering based on input or output ports

■ Hiding internal network numbers by route filtering

■ Providing specific static routes rather than using routes from a dynamic routing protocol

■ Security (for example, certain packets might not be allowed into a specific part of the network)

■ QoS mechanisms (for example, the precedence and type of service [ToS] values in IP packet headers can be set in routers to leverage queuing mechanisms to prioritize traffic)

Distribution Layer Example

Figure 3-4 shows a sample network with various features of the distribution layer highlighted.

Figure 3-4 Example of Distribution Layer Features

Figure 3-4 Example of Distribution Layer Features

Design Sample Distribution Network

Following are the characteristics of the distribution layer in the routed campus network shown in Figure 3-4:

■ Multilayer switching is used toward the access layer (and, in this case, within the access layer).

■ Multilayer switching is performed in the distribution layer and extended toward the core layer.

■ The distribution layer performs two-way route redistribution to exchange the routes between the Routing Information Protocol version 2 (RIPv2) and Enhanced Interior Gateway Routing Protocol (EIGRP) routing processes.

■ Route filtering is configured on the interfaces toward the access layer.

■ Route summarization is configured on the interfaces toward the core layer.

■ The distribution layer contains highly redundant connectivity, both toward the access layer and toward the core layer.

Continue reading here: Core Layer Functionality

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Readers' Questions

  • Hannes
    Which of the following best describes a network address translation?
    1 month ago
  • Network Address Translation (NAT) is a process used in computer networks to translate one IP address into another IP address. This allows devices on a local area network (LAN) to share a single public IP address, typically assigned by an Internet service provider (ISP). NAT acts as an intermediary between the private internal network and the public external network, allowing multiple devices to connect to the internet using a single public IP address. This aids in conserving IP addresses and enhances network security by hiding the internal IP addresses of devices from external networks. Therefore, the best description for NAT would be "a process that converts private IP addresses to public IP addresses, allowing multiple devices to share a single public IP address."
    • loyce gross
      Which of the following best describes a stateful inspection?
      2 months ago
    • firewall A stateful inspection firewall is a type of firewall that monitors and tracks all network activity, maintaining information about each network connection. It evaluates each packet that passes through the firewall to make sure that the packets match an existing stateful connection and that the connection is allowed by the firewall's security rules.
      • mebrahtu
        Which of the following manages the dynamic distribution of ip addresses to devices on a network?
        3 months ago
      • The Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) manages the dynamic distribution of IP addresses to devices on a network.
        • henna kettunen
          Which of the following best describes ethernet flow control?
          3 months ago
        • Ethernet flow control is a network communication protocol that regulates the transmission of data between two nodes connected on an Ethernet network. It is used to manage and prevent any potential network congestion. The flow control protocol works by temporarily stopping the sending of data while the receiving node catches up with processing the data it has already received.
          • jole
            What are two functions of end devices on a network (choose two.)?
            4 months ago
            1. Communication with other end devices
            2. Providing access to applications and services
            • milla
              What two functions describe uses of an access control list (choose two.)?
              6 months ago
            • - Restricting access to certain system resources - Allowing or denying specific users or user groups the ability to access network resources
              • ulrike
                What are two functions of dynamic routing protocols (choose two.)?
                6 months ago
                1. Automatically discover network topology.
                2. Automatically update routing tables.
                • jayden
                  What are two functions that are provided by the network layer (choose two.)?
                  6 months ago
                  1. Routing: Network layer protocols, such as IP, identify routes for delivering data across networks.
                  2. Logical Addressing: Network layer protocols, such as IP, assign logical addresses, such as IP addresses, to network devices.
                  • teppo
                    Which of the following is not part of distribution system?
                    7 months ago
                  • Transportation
                    • Karri
                      Which two functions are primary functions of a router (choose two.)?
                      7 months ago
                      1. Routing traffic
                      2. Establishing secure connections
                      • susan
                        Which statement describes a network that supports qos?
                        7 months ago
                      • A network that supports QoS (Quality of Service) allows users to prioritize certain types of data traffic, such as audio or video streaming, by allocating greater bandwidth or reducing latency for that type of data. This ensures that the most important data is delivered in the most efficient and timely manner.
                        • elias
                          Which of the following is not a component of the network services layer?
                          7 months ago
                        • Application layer
                          • eyob
                            Which statement is a characteristic of a packet filtering firewall?
                            7 months ago
                          • It inspects packets and either allows or blocks them based on rules configured by an administrator.
                            • Larry Ford
                              Which of the following best describes how a router operates to transmit?
                              7 months ago
                            • A router operates to transmit data by forwarding packets of information from one network to another based on their destination address. It connects the networks, examines the data in each packet and forwards it to the appropriate network, thus allowing communication between the connected networks.
                              • Kedija
                                Which functions are not part of distribution?
                                7 months ago
                              • Functions such as custom-made algorithms, user-defined functions, and scripts are not usually a part of distribution.
                                • girmay
                                  What are two functions that are provided by the network layer?
                                  7 months ago
                                  1. Routing: The network layer is responsible for establishing paths and selecting the most efficient route for data to travel through a network.
                                  2. Congestion control: The network layer manages how much traffic is on each network by regulating the flow of data across the network.
                                  • karoliina
                                    Which of the following is the distinguishing feature of a lan as compared to a wan?
                                    7 months ago
                                  • A LAN (Local Area Network) is typically smaller in geographic area than a WAN (Wide Area Network) and offers higher speeds.
                                    • valentino
                                      Which of the following characteristics describes an edge router?
                                      8 months ago
                                    • Edge routers are network devices that connect networks, including local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). They use protocols such as Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) and Open Shortest Path First (OSPF) to route traffic between different networks. Edge routers typically filter and direct traffic, as well as providing additional functions such as QoS, security, and caching.
                                      • aida
                                        Which layer of the hierarchical design model is a control boundary between the other layers?
                                        8 months ago
                                      • Interface
                                        • Tanja
                                          What is a characteristic of the distribution layer in the three layer hierarchical model?
                                          8 months ago
                                        • A characteristic of the distribution layer in the three layer hierarchical model is that it acts as a bridge between the access layer and the core layer. It is responsible for providing inter-VLAN routing, traffic management, and improved security by segmenting broadcast domains. It is also responsible for providing quality of service (QoS) features.
                                          • stefan
                                            What is destribution layer?
                                            9 months ago
                                          • Distribution layer is the second layer of the three-tier hierarchical network model. It sits between the core layer and the access layer and it is responsible for network segmentation. The main function of the distribution layer is to divide the network into multiple segments and route or block traffic based on security policies and requirements.
                                            • jamila
                                              Is the distribution layer the internet?
                                              10 months ago
                                            • No. The distribution layer is part of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) model, which is a networking model used to simplify how different networks interact. The Internet is a global network of interconnected computers.
                                              • ELENA
                                                What is routing protocols at the distribution layer?
                                                12 months ago
                                              • Routing protocols at the distribution layer allow for dynamic routing between different subnets within an autonomous system. Commonly used protocols are OSPF, EIGRP, and Multicast routing protocols.
                                                • marilyn
                                                  Does distribution layer need to have routing?
                                                  1 year ago
                                                • Yes, the distribution layer must have routing capabilities for it to function properly. It is responsible for routing traffic between the access layer and the core layer. Router protocols such as EIGRP, OSPF, and BGP are commonly used in the distribution layer.
                                                  • yolanda
                                                    What is the characteristics of the distrubution layers?
                                                    1 year ago
                                                  • The characteristics of the distribution layer are that it is responsible for routing traffic between multiple segments of a network, connecting between different access layers, providing network segmentation, and performing quality of service (QoS) functions. It also provides security, network address translation (NAT), filtering, and other services.
                                                    • LAYLA
                                                      What will you recomended for wan routers and nternet firewall?
                                                      1 year ago
                                                    • For WAN routers, I recommend purchasing a device that supports IP routing, multiple WAN ports, and secure VPN access. For an internet firewall, I recommend purchasing a device that supports intrusion prevention, stateful packet inspection, dynamic content filtering, and application control.
                                                      • faith marshall
                                                        What is distrubition layer?
                                                        1 year ago
                                                      • Distribution layer is a network layer that transports information between different networks. It is responsible for sorting, routing, and delivering data packets to the proper destination. The distribution layer also provides forwarding services to support applications and services, such as email and file transfer.
                                                        • Wegahta
                                                          What is the function aggregate trafic in distrubtion layer?
                                                          1 year ago
                                                        • The function of aggregate traffic in the distribution layer is to aggregate traffic from multiple access layer switches and process it to provide filtered access to the core layer. This layer is responsible for controlling the flow of traffic between the access layer switches and the core layer networks or devices. By performing access control, address summarization, and policy enforcement, the distribution layer supports scalability, reliability and rapid reconvergence.
                                                          • AMBER
                                                            What protocol running between access to distribution?
                                                            1 year ago
                                                          • REILLY
                                                            What is the function purposes of the distribution layer?
                                                            1 year ago
                                                          • The distribution layer is responsible for routing traffic between different networks. It is also used to filter and forward user requests, control access to resources, and provide other services such as authentication, quality of service (QoS) control, and bandwidth management.
                                                            • ROY
                                                              Which two function are appropriate for the distribution layer in this design?
                                                              1 year ago
                                                              1. Access Control List (ACL)
                                                              2. Network Address Translation (NAT)