Access Layer Switches: Operating at the network's edge, access switches connect end-user devices like PCs, printers, IP phones, and wireless access points. They are characterized by high port density, cost-effectiveness, security features at the edge, and often PoE support. This guide will demystify these roles and help you understand their. There are different types of enterprise switches that perform various roles in these layer-based or hierarchical ethernet networks. The Cisco three-layer hierarchical model provides recommendations for designing campus LANs.