Collapsed Backbones
Replaces the many routers or bridges of the previous designs
- Backbone has more cables, but fewer devices
- No backbone cable used; switch is the backbone.
Advantages:
- Improved performance (200-600% higher)
- Simultaneous access; :switched” operations
- A simpler more easily managed network – less devices
Two minor disadvantages
- Use more and longer cables
- Reliability:
- If the central switch fails, the network goes down.