In a Layer 3 access layer design, at which layer are the SVIs deployed?

In a Layer 3 access layer design, Switched Virtual Interfaces (SVIs) are deployed at the access layer. SVIs are utilized to provide Layer 3 IP routing capabilities to VLANs configured on a Layer 2 switch. When a switch operates at Layer 3, it can route traffic between different VLANs directly at the access layer without needing to send that traffic to a higher layer device.

This deployment helps in reducing latency and improving overall network performance since devices connected to the access layer switch can communicate with each other without having to traverse higher latency layers, such as the distribution or core layers, for inter-VLAN routing. By hosting SVIs at the access layer, organizations can enhance the efficiency of traffic management and maintain scalability within their network design.

Other layers, such as the distribution and core layers, primarily focus on connecting different networks or VLANs and handling larger, aggregated traffic flows. While they may involve routing and switching, the specific function of handling SVIs is best placed at the access layer, which is designed to serve users on the local network.