Differences between Access/Edge, Metro/Aggregation and Backbone/Core Layer

Dear friend!

As shown in the following figure:

For medium- and large-scale transport networks, it can be divided into three network layers:

1. Access/edge layer: Devices at this layer generally support a small access capacity and a large number of sites. Devices at this layer directly connect to branch sites on the client-side.

2. Metro/aggregation layer: Devices at this layer generally support a larger access capacity than devices at the access/edge layer and have fewer sites first. It is used to aggregate services at the access/edge layer to the core layer.

3. Backbone/core layer: Devices at this layer generally support the largest access capacity and the fewest number of sites. The connected customer devices are usually central office devices.

For example, in a telecom network, access/edge layer devices are mainly connected to base stations, and backbone/core layer devices are connected to base station controllers, data centers, and core network devices.

Thank you！