Vlan trunks and daisy-channelled switches

[smezache]

Let's say I have a 4500 series distribution switch to witch I have several Vlans going to for inter-vlan routing. I set up each network closet as a vlan. within each network closet, I have several access switches daysi-channelled together, but only one of the switch is directly connected the distribution switch over fiber; the link to the 4500 switch is set as a trunk.

1. Do I need to setup the links between each access switch within a closet (or vlan) as a trunk link even though they are not directly connected to the distribution switch, but they still need to be able to talk to all vlans, and should all my fail-over links be set as trunking as well? I would think so, but I would like someone to confirm it.

2. do you know of a good Cisco article or .pdf about inter-vlan design?

Thanks for the help.

Thanks

[Bobby Thekkekandam · Accepted solution]

1) Since all of the switches in each closet are in the same VLAN, you do not necessarily have to configure a trunk, since you are only carrying traffic in that particular VLAN. Now if you were to divide any or all of these closets into multiple VLAN's, you'd have to then configure these links as trunks. As they are, it will work. Traffic destined for other VLANs will be sent to the distribution switch where your inter-vlan routing is done.

2. These should be a good start:

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps663/products_tech_note09186a0080094713.shtml

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/cisintwk/idg4/nd2012.htm

http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/software/ios113ed/113ed_cr/switch_c/xcvlan.htm