Sitting at the top of the hierarchical model, core switches interconnect distribution layer switches and provide high-speed data transfer across network segments. Simply put, it's the kingpin that keeps your network humming. You may also want to know: Can a Nintendo Switch Play DS Games? ·. What is a Core Switch? A core switch is the primary switch installed at the backbone of a layered or hierarchical network. It's designed to handle significant amounts of traffic with advanced features like redundancy and scalability. They often have 10Gbps and 100Gbps fiber optic ports for quicker speeds.