3550 Switches

[olorunloba]

Please who knows the difference in the different models of the 3550 switches (i.e. Cisco Catalyst 3550 24 DC SMI Switch, Cisco Catalyst 3550 24 EMI Switch, Cisco Catalyst 3550 24 FX SMI Switch, Cisco Catalyst 3550 24 PWR Switch, Cisco Catalyst 3550 24 SMI Switch). And what is Advanced IP Routing on these swtiches?. Is that support for routing protocols.

[Prashanth Krishnappa]

We have differnet models

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps646/prod_models_home.html

In brief

Catalyst 3550 24 DC SMI --24-10/100+2GBIC PORTS(DC-PWRD) with SMI

Catalyst 3550 24 EMI --24-10/100 AND 2 GBIC PORTS:EMI feature set

Catalyst 3550 24 FX SMI --24-100FX MMF ports+2GBIC PORTS with SMI

Catalyst 3550 24 PWR --24-10/100 INLINE POWER + 2 GBIC PORT

Catalyst 3550 24 SMI --24-10/100 AND 2 GBIC PORTS:SMI feature set

With EMI feature set, you have support for advanced IP routing(BGP, EIGRP, OSPF..). SMI has only RIP and static route support. The following Q and A should help as well

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps646/products_qanda_item09186a00800913d3.shtml

[konigl]

Either of two different software images can be loaded on a 3550 switch. Standard Multilayer Image (SMI) software is your basic switching version, but it also allows you to do unicast IP routing using static routes and RIP. Enhanced Multilayer Image (EMI) software is the advanced version; in addition to switching, it lets you do unicast and multicast IP routing, and use more complex routing protocols such as OSPF or EIGRP.

Cisco Catalyst 3550 24 DC SMI Switch

24-port 10/100 switch, with two GBIC slots. Runs off DC electric power supply as opposed to AC power supply. SMI software loaded.

Cisco Catalyst 3550 24 EMI Switch

24-port 10/100 switch, with two GBIC slots. EMI software loaded.

Cisco Catalyst 3550 24 FX SMI Switch

24-port 10/100 switch, with two 100BASE-FX (Fast Ethernet over multimode fiber) ports instead of GBIC slots. SMI software loaded.

Cisco Catalyst 3550 24 PWR Switch

24-port 10/100 switch, with two GBIC slots. The switch itself is AC powered; but it can supply DC electrical power to attached network devices "inline" (that is, over the network cable connection) if those devices can obtain their power that way. Cisco IP Phones and wireless access points are examples of devices that can get their power inline.

Cisco Catalyst 3550 24 SMI Switch

24-port 10/100 switch, with two GBIC slots. SMI software loaded.

Hope this helps.

[olorunloba]

Thanks for the information. But one more thing. Cisco site says that the SMI version can be upgraded to the EMI. Are there any Flash and memory issues attached. I want to be sure that there will be no need for an hardware upgrade when I want to upgrade the SMi to the EMI.

Thanks

[t.baranski]

I've never heard anyone mention a necessary hardware upgrade to go from SMI to EMI. All you should need to do is download a new IOS image.

[MUHAMMAD SHAHEEN]

When you want to download IOS, it will tell you how much memory and flash is required in the switch you are about to upgrade. You are also required to purchase an upgrade kit if you are upgrading SMI to EMI. If you know that you want to upgrade to EMI at a later stage, it will be better you purchase Switch with EMI version instead of SMI image.

Regards

Shaheen