Switch lab

Access level switch

      The switch I found for access level is the cisco catalyst 2960-c series.  This looks like a good entry-level switch.  It has alot of good security features and it is easy on the eyes.  It has Data-Link layer security threat detection features which I would love to see in action. It has zero touch deployment which allows it to pull configuration files from a dhcp server without having to console in which would have been awesome for class.
      Another great feature of this series is the auto-QoS and auto smart ports which will configure the quality of service for you.  The auto smart ports detects what device is connected to the port which is neat because in my house that can change from hour to hour and I don't want to have to go back and configure different things if I run out of ports.

Distribution switch

      I chose this switch because it has more upgradeable room and you can optimize the power useage of the switch.  I think this switch looks good for a distribution switch because it has plenty of ports.  It would be great for a wiring closet like we have in wayne west.  It has a nice browser based port configuration system which is alot better than having to console in.

      The way I would set up a network with these switches is to use the core switch I chose in my base of operations and having these switches in each floor wiring closet of the different buildings and then having the access point switch in the rooms if they have more than 4 computer devices. This switch has power over ethernet and all sorts of whizbang features as well.  I would hit it.

     
Core Switch

For the core of the network I chose the data center switch.  The one I chose is the catalyst 6500 series of switches.  This brand of switch comes with a load of modules built to facilitate large loads of traffic while keeping QoS up and bottlenecks down.  And the wireless service module 2 on there can integrate wireless and wired networks off the same switch which is pretty neat.  This switch looks huge though.  It is definitely not for small to medium businesses.  Although if I had the money I would buy it just to be all MUAHAHA I SWITCH EVERYTHING!
      Another cool module is network analysis module 3.  The three stands for three times the awesome.  It is optimized for 10 gigabyte traffic.  That is a supervisor module that moderates network traffic and resource utilisation.  I really like the idea of a ron popeil style switch that I can set it and forget it.  If I was buying for a data center I would buy from this switch series.