Factors

Core Switch

Distribution Switch

Access Switch

Working layer

Core layer

Distribution layer

Access layer

Numbers of switches in a network

The least (normally one or two)

May comprise sum of the core layer and access layer switches

The most compare to another layer

Features

Layer 3 switches, highest reliability, functionality and throughput

Layer 3 switches, higher reliability, functionality and throughput

Layer 2 switches, relatively lower reliability, functionality and throughput

Supported functions

Very high forwarding rate, QoS, redundant components, etc.

Packet filtering, QoS, and application gateways, etc.

Port security, VLANs, Fast Ethernet/Gigabit Ethernet, PoE, etc.

Cost

Highest

Higher

Relatively Lower