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## 2.2.2 Basic core-edge topology 

The core-edge topology (as shown in Figure 2-3) is easily recognized by most SAN architects. This topology consists of a switch in the center (usually, a director-class switch), which is surrounded by other switches. The core switch  contains all FlashSystem and high-bandwidth hosts. It is connected by using ISLs to the edge switches. The edge switches can be of any size from 24 port switches up to multi-slot directors. 

When the FlashSystem and servers are connected to different switches, the hop count for this topology is one. 

<img src='content_image/1003238.jpg'>

