MEDIUM-DENSITY CAMPUS DESIGN
In the last article we shared the SMALL-SITE CAMPUS DESIGN, which demands in the access layer for wired ports and WLAN devices typically number in the dozens (versus the hundreds in the medium design), with requirements for less than 25 APs. And here we will continue to share the medium-density campus design. It is a single distribution layer, which can be standalone or used as a collapsed core connected to another distribution, or other services, or perhaps connected to WAN router at a remote site that has grown large enough to need an aggregation layer.
The demands in the access layer for wired ports and WLAN devices typically number in the hundreds versus the thousands for a large design, with requirements for less than a few groups of 50 or fewer APs. The preferred design strives for typical business continuity needs not requiring every redundant component offered and standard network capabilities.
Campus Wired Distribution, Wired Access, and Wireless
You make choices for the wired distribution and access with a bias towards size and flexibility in order to accommodate the space and power requirements of medium sized installations in a way that can elastically expand as an organization grows. Where densities and advanced software feature capabilities are not as strong of a requirement, options with a more economical and common sparing preference are shown.
The medium-density designs are equivalent to the small-site campus design with the addition of a distribution layer.
Table. Medium campus suggested deployment platforms
| Enterprise Class—base foundation network capabilities | Advanced—foundation plus additional network capabilities | Mission Critical—Best in class network capabilities | |
| Distribution/ aggregation switches | Cisco Catalyst 9500-24Q with StackWise Virtual or Cisco Catalyst 3850-X stackable switches | Cisco Catalyst 9500-24Q with StackWise Virtual or Cisco Catalyst 6880-X extensible fixed chassis pair VSS configuration | Cisco Catalyst 9500-24Q with StackWise Virtual configuration |
| Access switches | Cisco 2960-X and 2960-XR Series with stack modules | Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series stackable switches | Cisco Catalyst 9300 Series stackable switches |
| Wireless controller | FlexConnect with Cisco 8500/5500 Series remote controller in HA SSO mode or Cisco 3500 Series local controller in HA SSO mode | Cisco 5500/3500 Series local controller in HA SSO mode | Cisco 8500 Series local controller in HA SSO mode |
APs | Cisco 1850 Series | Cisco 2800 Series | Cisco 3800 Series |
| Key capabilities—wired | 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet services, MACsec, TrustSec NetFlow | 1/10 Gigabit Ethernet services, MACsec, TrustSec NetFlow, UPOE | 1/10/40 Gigabit Ethernet services, MACsec, TrustSec, NetFlow, UPOE |
| Key capabilities—wireless | 2 Gbps Combined Data, 802.11ac Wave 2, 4×4 MU-MIMO:3SS, 20/40/80MHz, Transmit Beamforming | 5 Gbps Combined Data, 802.11ac Wave 2, 4×4 MU-MIMO:3SS, 20/40/80/160MHz, HDX, CleanAir, ClientLink 4.0 + Transmit Beamforming, VideoStream | 5 Gbps Combined Data, 802.11ac Wave 2, 4×4 MU-MIMO:3SS, 20/40/80/160MHz, mGig+GE, HDX, CleanAir, ClientLink 4.0 + Transmit Beamforming, VideoStream |
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