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Networking Fundamentals · Intermediate

Spine-and-Leaf Architecture

A two-tier data center design in which every leaf switch connects to every spine switch, giving predictable, low-latency paths.

Definition

Any server is the same number of hops from any other (leaf, spine, leaf), and equal-cost multipath routing uses all links. Scaling is done by adding leaves for ports or spines for bandwidth. Leaves never connect to other leaves, and spines never connect to other spines.

Example

A data center with 4 spines and 20 leaf switches supports thousands of servers with three-hop paths.

Exam tip

Spine-leaf optimizes east-west traffic; three-tier was built for north-south.

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