Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1255991
10 I ICT TODAY "Core" Switch "Distribution" Switch "Distribution" Switch "Access" Switch "Access" Switch "Access" Switch "Access" Switch FIGURE 3: Illustration of fat tree topology. switches, all of which belong to various forms of enter- prise online and IP traffic. Adjacent to those racks is the isolated network where the AV traffic is managed. The separation ensures that the AV and general traffic systems do not interfere with each other. There is no need to carefully prioritize one type of traffic over other IP traffic types. Since these AV network systems are separated from other networks in the organization, the complexity level of the network integration is reduced. On the other hand, network management can be trickier since there is a need to be able to access two different networks that are not neces- sarily talking to each other. The second method uses a more logical approach. By utilizing virtual LAN (VLAN) or multi-protocol label switching (MPLS), AV/IT administrators can create virtual segregated managed networks that separate the high bandwidth AVoIP traffic from the rest of the IP traffic that flows in the networks. This method is widely used in cases when there is a preference to utilize already installed and operational network gear rather than buying a separate rack to segregate the IP traffic. Fat Tree Very large network systems often fall into the category of a fat tree topology (Figure 3). Here, access switches are connected to a distribution switch in a way that resem- bles a star network. Multiple distribution switches are connected to a core switch. There can be multiple layers of distribution switches, and multiple core switches can be interconnected. Links further up the tree (closer to core switches) are "fatter" or higher bandwidth than links further down the tree (closer to access switches). Advantages: Ultimate scalability, potential for high network path redundancy (protections when specific path is down due to switch failure). Disadvantages: Management complexity, cost. Network Segregation There are essentially two ways to segregate IP networks. The first method is physical segregation. Referred to as an "air gap," physical segregation physically isolates one net- work from the primary network infrastructure headend. That headend comprises multiple racks of network