core switch
Core switches represent the most powerful switch variants in the switch hierarchy, which are characterized by an enormously high data throughput. They are used in the backbones of high-speed networks, such as Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, IP networks and in data centers. To ensure that data throughput is as high as possible, core switches dispense with block checks and error correction and are functionally geared towards high-speed switching.
To illustrate the performance, a few characteristic performance figures are given as examples. For example, core switches support well over 100 Ethernet ports or Gigabit Ethernet ports, and their switching performance is over 500 Gbit/s and at several hundred megapackets per second. Therefore, core switches achieve data throughput of one hundred gigabits per second and more. The available backplane bandwidth can well reach into the terabit range. They can be expanded with router modules and thus also perform routing.
To ensure availability, high-speed networks are built with fail-safe redundant core switches. In case of failure of one core switch, the redundant core switch takes over its function. The two core switches are controlled via the Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol( VRRP), which activates the core switch operating in standby mode if the switch with the active IP address fails. This uses the Intelligent Resilient Framework( IRF) to form a Resilient Virtual Switch Fabric( RVSF) that ensures 99.999% high availability. In the event of impairments, the Rapid Ring Protection Protocol( RRPP) ensures extremely fast switching to backlinks. In such a constellation, load balancing and aggregation are supported in addition to redundancy.