core switch

A core switch, also known as a tandem switch and a backbone switch, is a high-capacity switch positioned in the physical core, or backbone, of a network. In a public Wide Area Network (WAN) a core switch serves to interconnect edge switches, which are positioned at the network edge. In a Local Area Network (LAN), a core switch serves to interconnect workgroup switches, relatively low capacity switches that serve groups of workers in geographic clusters. See also switch.