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The Cisco Enterprise Composite Model

Posted 31 October 2008;

Cisco has used the three-level hierarchical network design model for years. This older model (also referred to as the switch block model) provided a high-level idea of how a reliable network could be conceived but was largely conceptual, because it did not provide specific guidance.

Cisco therefore developed a newer design model-the enterprise composite model-that is significantly more complex. This model attempts to address the major shortcomings of the hierarchical model by expanding the older version and making specific recommendations about how and where certain network functions should be implemented. This model is based on the principles described in Cisco's description of converged networks.

The enterprise composite model is broken up into three areas (rollover image below for larger version):

• Enterprise campus
• Enterprise edge
• Service provider edge

Enterprise Composite Model (Rollout to close)

Enterprise Campus

The enterprise campus looks like the switch block design with some added details. It features five sections:

• Campus backbone (core layer)
• Building distribution
• Building access
• Management
• Server farm (for enterprise services)

The enterprise campus builds on the original switch block idea but gives specific guidance about where to place servers and management equipment.

Enterprise Edge

The enterprise edge details the connections from the campus to the wider area and includes:

• E-Commerce
• Internet connectivity
• Remote access (dial-up and VPN)
• WAN (internal links)

Service Provider Edge

The service provider edge includes the public networks that facilitate wide-area connectivity:

• Internet service provider (ISP)
• Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) for dialup
• Frame Relay, ATM, and PPP for private connectivity

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