Switch Meshing 
Operating Notes for Switch Meshing 
Requirements and Restrictions 
■  Supported Mesh Domain Size: 
•  In  a  partially interconnected mesh domain, where there is not a 
direct connection from every meshed switch to every other meshed 
switch, the recommended maximum is 12 switches. Figure 
7-21 shows 
a meshed backbone with the maximum supported switch count in a 
partially interconnected mesh domain. 
•  In  a  fully interconnected mesh domain, where there is a direct 
connection from every meshed switch to every other meshed switch, 
the recommended maximum is five switches. Figure 
7-22 shows a 
fully interconnected mesh. 
SW 1 
SW 2 
SW 3  SW 7SW 5 
Server Farm  Server Farm 
Switches SW 1 through SW 12 
form the maximum size switch 
mesh domain. 
SW 9  SW 11SW 4  SW 8SW 6  SW10  SW12 
Note that more than one 
link is allowed between 
any two switches in the 
domain. 
As shown here, meshing 
allows multiple redundant 
links between switches in 
the domain. 
Note also that a switch 
can have up to 24 ports 
configured for meshing. 
Figure 7-21.  Example of a Partially Interconnected Mesh with the Maximum Recommended Switch Count 
Switch 
5 
Switch 
1 
Switch 
2 
Switch 
4 
Switch 
3 
As noted above, a switch 
can have up to 24 ports 
configured for meshing. 
Figure 7-22.  Example of a Fully Interconnected Mesh with the Maximum Switch Count 
7-25