10 gig Switch Solution

[Wesley850]

Hello,

I am looking for a switch solution that will connect 5 buildings together in a hub and spoke topology. We are using dark fiber to connect the buildings. I am looking for a switch that would have 2 SFP+ connections and 1 or 2 copper gig ports for the far end buildings. I also need a head end switch that would have 5 SFP+ ports and 1 or 2 copper gig ports. The connections will be layer 3 using OSPF or EIGRP between the buildings.

I have been looking at the 3750X and 3850X switches but really don't need all the copper ports. Any sugestions on what other switches are available that would do the jod would be great.

[Leo Laohoo]

I am looking for a switch solution that will connect 5 buildings together in a hub and spoke topology. We are using dark fiber to connect the buildings. I am looking for a switch that would have 2 SFP+ connections and 1 or 2 copper gig ports for the far end buildings. I also need a head end switch that would have 5 SFP+ ports and 1 or 2 copper gig ports. The connections will be layer 3 using OSPF or EIGRP between the buildings.

Need more info on this.  What you are asking is you want a core or distribution (aka distro) switch.  Can you tell me what switches you have at the far/remote end?

I mean the first thing that popped into my mind is the 6880X and 6800ia combo. The 6800ia is a "dumb" switch and needs a parent switch, in form of the 6880X or 6807X, to manage.

Another option would be the 4500X. This is a good option because you buy the additional ethernet modules you need.  Another option is the 4900M.

Be aware that the 4500X and the 4900M can do Layer 3 functions but not full MPLS.  They will only do VRF-lite.

The 6880X and 6807X will support full MPLS/VRF.

Talk to your authorized Cisco reseller or Cisco AM/SE. 

[Wesley850]

Thank you Leo Laohoo, You have some great switch ideas that could fit what I asked for.

I guess the real question I have is what Cisco switch can do more than 4, SFP+ connections with some copper gig ports and still have layer 3 routing without going to a 4500X. Keeping the price some where in the 10,000.00 to 15,000.00 reatail price range.

[Leo Laohoo]

I guess the real question I have is what Cisco switch can do more than 4, SFP+ connections with some copper gig ports and still have layer 3 routing without going to a 4500X. Keeping the price some where in the 10,000.00 to 15,000.00 reatail price range.

Hmmmmm ... How many SFP+ ports do you need?

3750X-12S or 3750X-24S can do up to two (2) SFP+. 

[Wesley850]

I was looking for 4 SFP+ ports. I found a 3850-48 that could have a total of 4 SFP+ ports. The 48 copper ports are a little overkill but that would work.

It seems Cisco has a gap in its switch line for 10gig ports. To get 5 or more SFP+ ports you really don't have a choice other than multiple 3750X or 3850 switches or Nexus 2K or 4500X switches. 

[Leo Laohoo]

It seems Cisco has a gap in its switch line for 10gig ports. To get 5 or more SFP+ ports you really don't have a choice other than multiple 3750X or 3850 switches or Nexus 2K or 4500X switches.

It ain't a gap.  It's by design.

No matter how many SFP+ ports a 3650 or 3850 the most basic question is this:  Can each switch really push a total of 40 Gbps?  The answer is no.

[Joseph W. Doherty]

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Leo, no, why not?  What's your thinking?  "Real-world" 40g vs. "test" 40g?

The later generation 3k switches specs generally have them as all wire-speed capable.  If you stack them, the stack, though, can become a bottleneck, especially with the 3650 series.

Is you concern buffering?  If so, I would agree.

To OP, realize there's differences between switches other than port speeds.  How data will transverse switch can be very important in selecting a switch.  For example, there's a reason 4948-10Gs are/were used in data centers and 3560X are not.  If you check their port bandwidths, fabric bandwidth, and device PPS capacity, they are about identical, and if you do a typical SmartBits tests, those results will likely be identical, but their real world capacity isn't identical.