Pick an access layer switch that (1) offers enough ports for every wired and PoE device you'll add over the next three years, (2) delivers the speed—1 Gbps for general traffic or 10 Gbps for heavy data—to keep users productive, and (3) includes security and management features that. Pick an access layer switch that (1) offers enough ports for every wired and PoE device you'll add over the next three years, (2) delivers the speed—1 Gbps for general traffic or 10 Gbps for heavy data—to keep users productive, and (3) includes security and management features that. Pick an access layer switch that (1) offers enough ports for every wired and PoE device you'll add over the next three years, (2) delivers the speed—1 Gbps for general traffic or 10 Gbps for heavy data—to keep users productive, and (3) includes security and management features that prevent downtime. When planning an enterprise access network, one of the most common dilemmas is whether to deploy Layer 2 (L2) or Layer 3 (L3) switches. The access layer plays a critical role in connecting end devices—such as computers, printers, IP phones, and wireless access points—to the rest of the enterprise. In a typical enterprise network architecture, the access layer switch is the first point of contact between end-user devices and the rest of the network.