Switching and Routing

Switching and Routing are the foundation of the network infrastructure. Devices that implement these concepts are becoming more complex, in order to meet the requirement of networked business applications.
Routers and switches have evolved from simple packet forwarders to sophisticated devices that can accommodate many contemporary services. A router, besides its basic duty, can be considered today a multiservice platform in which features like Security, Quality of Service, Content Networking, Multimedia Services and even an IP-based PBX can be implemented. The seamless and successful combination of these critical services requires a deep understanding of these technologies.

Switches, as well, have acquired more intelligence, and ASICs developed by manufacturers let these devices perform complex tasks at line rate. Modular platforms are announced every year, and their features need to be deeply understood in order to transform technology in a competitive asset for the enterprise business.
Besides technology itself, there lies the proper design of the network infrastructure. Without a careful design, many of the features available in these important devices can not be utilized to their fully extent.

Core Routing

High end routers and switches need to be considered as special cases in the network infrastructure. They have the ultimate responsibility for moving traffic everywhere at very fast speeds, according to service policies and requirements. Failure to design a consistent core routing infrastructure impacts on the overall network, therefore network designers pay special attention to these critical devices. Core Routing is more than fast switching devices; concepts like scalable internet routing, routing policies, high availability routing, routing around failures, automatic switchover, are all characteristics that must fit together in order to guarantee the service level needed in this area.