Core, aggregation, and access — where each layer earns its cost
Core switches carry the highest traffic load and need the redundancy and throughput to match — this is not where to cut corners, since a core failure takes the whole site down with it.
Aggregation switches sit between core and access, consolidating uplinks and often carrying routing or policy enforcement that doesn't belong at the edge.
Access switches are where users and devices actually connect — port density, PoE budget, and manageability matter more here than raw backplane throughput.
Sizing PoE correctly
PoE budget is one of the most common sizing mistakes we see corrected after the fact. Access points, phones, cameras, and badge readers all draw from a shared power budget per switch — spec'ing ports without checking the wattage total is how a network passes procurement and fails deployment.
What we help you plan
Uplink speeds and redundancy between access and aggregation layers
PoE budget across the switches that actually need it
VLAN and routing requirements at the aggregation layer
Wireless AP density and placement for the space, not just the headcount
Typical configuration range
Manufacturers we source
Cisco, Cisco Small Business, Juniper, Extreme Networks, Aruba (HPE), NETGEAR, D-Link, and Brocade, among others.