Networking · Hardware
Access Switch
Also known as: Edge Switch, Access Layer Switch
The switch that end devices — computers, phones, APs, printers — plug into directly. Sits at the edge of the network and connects up to a distribution or core switch.
The three-layer network model divides switches into access, distribution, and core layers. Access switches are the bottom layer — the gear in IDFs and telecom closets that devices actually connect to. Distribution and core switches handle higher-speed aggregation and routing.
Access switches are characterized by:
High port count — 24 or 48 downlink ports, typically at 1Gbps or 2.5Gbps for endpoint connectivity.
PoE — most access switches today are PoE or PoE+ capable, powering phones, APs, and cameras from the switch port.
Uplinks — 2–4 higher-speed uplink ports (10G or 25G) for connecting back to the distribution or core switch, often in an LACP bundle for redundancy and bandwidth.
VLANs and QoS — access switches enforce port-level VLAN assignment and apply QoS markings to prioritize voice and video.
802.1X — access switches can enforce port-based network access control, blocking unauthenticated devices.
In small and mid-size organizations, the three-layer model often collapses to two: access switches connect directly to a core switch or firewall, skipping a dedicated distribution layer. The principles remain the same.