Can someone explain what a Tier 1/Tier 2 Router is?

In a class on Cisco routers. The teacher has said the following terms a few times: Tier 1 and Tier 2 router.

We are working with Cisco Routers/Switches and I think he explained what they are, however, I can't find the info in my notes.

Have tried to find the info via Google however I'm finding either Tier 1 ISP and/or Tier 1/2 Bandwidth.

Examples:

Cisco Systems Announces Dedicated Edge Services Router -> Cisco News

http://ezinearticles.com/?Whats-The-Difference-Between-Tier-1-Tier-2-And-Tier-3-Bandwidth-Providers-To-Your-Business?&id=442348

Has anyone heard of this term and if so, can they expand on it.

thanks

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Comments

chrisone

not sure, maybe its an ISP lingo regarding layers from inner core to outer edge devices? Or perhaps its just old school terminology regarding core and distribution layer devices. Not sure really in honest truth never used those terms nor worked with people that use those terms.

instant000

Ask the instructor what he/she means by the term

ehnde

Seems most likely that he is referring to core, distribution, or access layer devices within a design model.

SteveO86

Only thing on the net is this from Wikipedia..

Tier 2 network - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

but like others I've never used or heard any of my friends using that terminology.

gosh1976

SteveO86 wrote: »

Only thing on the net is this from Wikipedia..

Tier 2 network - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

but like others I've never used or heard any of my friends using that terminology.

That wiki article describes the only time I've heard those terms used in regards to networking.

JockVSJock

instant000 wrote: »

Ask the instructor what he/she means by the term

I think you might be right and they might be referring to the Access, Core and Distribution roles for switches/routers.

I'll circle back and ask.

CodeBlox

JockVSJock wrote: »

I think you might be right and they might be referring to the Access, Core and Distribution roles for switches/routers.

I'll circle back and ask.

Yeah but you said routers... In my study, I've only seen those terms (access, distribution, and core) mentioned with respect to switches.

networker050184

CodeBlox wrote: »

Yeah but you said routers... In my study, I've only seen those terms (access, distribution, and core) mentioned with respect to switches.

Depends on the network really. For example a service provider environment you are going to usually have routers at all three levels, maybe a switch at the edge for Ethernet customers.

As far as Tiers of routers, I've heard it used to explain the core/edge scenario as far as security is concerned. A Tier 1 router is going to be on your edge and a Tier 2 will be an internal router usually separated by some sort of firewall.

JockVSJock

networker050184 wrote: »

As far as Tiers of routers, I've heard it used to explain the core/edge scenario as far as security is concerned. A Tier 1 router is going to be on your edge and a Tier 2 will be an internal router usually separated by some sort of firewall.

Dead on!

I asked the instructor again just to update my notes and this is what he said.

thanks

Stotic

Another way to look at it is a classification of hardware by a vendor such as Cisco. The 1900 router being more of a small branch office solution compared to a 3900 which is beefier and allows for more throughput. Both of the the same class of router, but may be considered different tiers.

It's not really something important to know for CCNA topics because it's just a term that can be applied loosely anywhere.