3750 vs ME3600/ME3800

justanas1 · ‎03-13-2012

Hi All,

I have two sites connected to each other using L2 MPLS/1Gbps "provided by the telecom", the link is configured as a 802.1q trunk and terminated on C3750 on both sites. Everything is working fine according to the below configuration. But i am facing QoS limitations on the number of queues, i checked cisco web site and found that the ME3600/3800 has HQoS which will give me advanced QoS features.

I am thinking to migrate from the 3750 to ME3800, but i am new to metro switches. Can anyone help me if i can apply the same below configuration on ME3800 except the QoS as i will replace it by MQC configuration? So can I consider that the ME3800 has all 3750 features plus MQC QoS?

!

!!

version 12.2

no service pad

service timestamps debug uptime

service timestamps log datetime

no service password-encryption

no service dhcp

!

hostname SiteA

!

enable secret 5 ***

!

username *** password ***

no aaa new-model

switch 1 provision ws-c3750g-24ts-1u

system mtu routing 1500

vtp mode transparent

ip subnet-zero

ip routing

no ip domain-lookup

!

ip tftp source-interface Vlan50

ip multicast-routing distributed

ip vrf CUSTOMER_A

!

mls qos srr-queue output dscp-map queue 1 threshold 2 45 46

mls qos srr-queue output dscp-map queue 1 threshold 3 47

mls qos srr-queue output dscp-map queue 2 threshold 3 15

mls qos srr-queue output dscp-map queue 4 threshold 2 32

mls qos queue-set output 2 buffers 25 30 10 35

mls qos

!

no file verify auto

!

spanning-tree mode rapid-pvst

spanning-tree extend system-id

!

vlan internal allocation policy ascending

!

vlan 50

name CUSTOMER_A

!

vlan 100

name CUSTOMER_A_WAN

!

vlan 200

name global

!

vlan 2011

name CUSTOMER_B_WAN

!

class-map match-all IPTV

match access-group 119

class-map match-all CUSTOMER_A_VOIP

match access-group 120

class-map match-all CUSTOMER_A

class-map match-all VIDEO_OVER_IP

match access-group 117

class-map match-all CUSTOMER_B_VOIP

match access-group 116

class-map match-all FTP_CUSTOMER_A

match access-group 118

!

policy-map CUSTOMER_B_INPUT

class CUSTOMER_B_VOIP

set dscp ef

class IPTV

set dscp 15

class class-default

set dscp af31

police 30000000 1000000 exceed-action drop

policy-map VIDEO_OVER_IP_INPUT

class VIDEO_OVER_IP

set dscp 47

class class-default

set dscp af13

policy-map CUSTOMER_A_INPUT

class CUSTOMER_A_VOIP

set dscp 45

class class-default

set dscp cs4

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/1

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/2

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/3

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/4

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/5

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/6

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/7

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/8

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/9

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/10

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/11

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/12

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/13

description FROM_CUSTOMER_B

switchport access vlan 2011

switchport mode access

service-policy input CUSTOMER_B_INPUT

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/14

description FROM_CUSTOMER_B

switchport access vlan 2011

switchport mode access

service-policy input CUSTOMER_B_INPUT

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/15

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/16

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/17

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/18

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/19

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/20

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/21

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/22

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/23

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/24

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/25

description CUSTOMER_A

switchport access vlan 50

switchport mode access

ip vrf forwarding CUSTOMER_A

service-policy input CUSTOMER_A_INPUT

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/26

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/27

description VIDEO_OVER_IP

no switchport

ip address 10.51.1.145 255.255.255.240

mls qos trust dscp

!

interface GigabitEthernet1/0/28

description TO_MPLS

switchport trunk encapsulation dot1q

switchport trunk allowed vlan 1-49,51-4094

switchport mode trunk

load-interval 30

srr-queue bandwidth share 1 80 10 10

srr-queue bandwidth shape 5 0 0 0

srr-queue bandwidth limit 40

queue-set 2

priority-queue out

hold-queue 4096 in

hold-queue 4096 out

!

interface Vlan1

no ip address

shutdown

!

interface Vlan50

ip vrf forwarding CUSTOMER_A

ip address 10.51.1.40 255.255.255.240

!

interface Vlan100

ip vrf forwarding CUSTOMER_A

ip address 10.51.1.19 255.255.255.240

no ip mroute-cache

!

interface Vlan200

ip address 172.16.1.1 255.255.255.0

ip pim sparse-mode

!

ip classless

ip route 10.57.10.0 255.255.255.0 172.16.1.2

ip route 10.86.51.0 255.255.255.0 10.51.1.146

ip route 192.168.55.0 255.255.255.0 172.16.1.2

ip route vrf CUSTOMER_A 10.51.1.0 255.255.255.240 10.51.1.18

ip http server

!

ip pim rp-address 172.16.1.1

!

logging trap debugging

l

access-list 112 permit ip any any

access-list 116 permit ip any any dscp ef

access-list 117 permit udp 10.17.1.0 0.0.0.255 any eq 5500

access-list 118 permit ip host 10.17.1.6 any

access-list 119 permit udp 10.17.1.0 0.0.0.255 any

access-list 120 permit ip 10.53.40.0 0.0.0.255 10.52.20.0 0.0.0.255

snmp-server community *** RO

snmp-server enable traps license

!

control-plane

!

line con 0

line vty 0 4

login local

line vty 5 15

login

!

end

paolo bevilacqua · ‎03-13-2012

Are you sure you need more QoS and queues?

You can try the opposite -remove all QoS config, and check in any drops.

let us know.

justanas1 · ‎03-13-2012

The QoS is needed because i have Video over IP, VoIP and IPTV coming from customer-B, and VoIP coming from customer-A. in addition to that FTP are coming from both customers and i need QoS to manage the WAN link.

What i understood from the ME3800/ME3600 is that the WAN link can support EVC and alot of MPLS, but i don't need to configure any MPLS features in case i migrate to ME3800/ME3600, and i what i need is to make sure that the ME3800/ME3600 will work fine in terms of switching, routing and QoS MQC

Regards,

Anas

paolo bevilacqua · ‎03-13-2012

Nevertherless the traffic you carry, check that you have drops before worrying, because in my experience, QoS on Gb circuit is rarely needed.

justanas1 · ‎03-13-2012

I am sure QoS is needed because the Video over IP consumes high bandwidth " each session 100Mbps". and hierarchical QoS is needed because i need to connect to Site-C to site-A but with 200Mbps link. This is why i am thinking to migrate to a better switch like ME3800

Joseph W. Doherty · ‎03-13-2012

Disclaimer

The Author of this posting offers the information contained within this posting without consideration and with the reader's understanding that there's no implied or expressed suitability or fitness for any purpose. Information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as rendering professional advice of any kind. Usage of this posting's information is solely at reader's own risk.

Liability Disclaimer

In no event shall Author be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of use, data or profit) arising out of the use or inability to use the posting's information even if Author has been advised of the possibility of such damage.

Posting

I haven't configured QoS on ME series switches, but from their configuration guides they generally offer some QoS enhancements over LAN switches.

If you're looking for maximum QoS flexibility, a "router" would be a better choice.

A full gigabit duplex Ethernet link requires about 3 Mpps for minimum Ethernet packets.

3925 - 833 Kpps

3945 - 982 Kpps

7200 NPE-1G - 1 Mpps

3925E - 1.845 Mpps

7200 NPE-2G - 2 Mpps

7201 - 2 Mpps

3945E - 2.924 Mpps

justanas1 · ‎03-13-2012

Thank Joseph,

It is same for me, I havn't configured ME switches before. And i don't want to use router because it is more expensive compared to the ME, and actually i need a more LAN ports on the WAN equipments to connect the Video encoders directly it.

So i just would like to know if the ME switch can support what i configured on the 3750 (L2 switchport, dot1q WAN trunk, VRF, static routing, Multicast..etc) plus the HQOS, I don't know if this basic things can be configured without the other features like EVC and EoMPLS..., so i just want to put CUSTOMER_A, CUSTOMER_B, Video on three separate VLANs and route them through the dot1q (L2 MPLS) link to the other site and configure the QoS on the trunk link, please advise.

Joseph W. Doherty · ‎03-14-2012

Disclaimer

The Author of this posting offers the information contained within this posting without consideration and with the reader's understanding that there's no implied or expressed suitability or fitness for any purpose. Information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as rendering professional advice of any kind. Usage of this posting's information is solely at reader's own risk.

Liability Disclaimer

In no event shall Author be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of use, data or profit) arising out of the use or inability to use the posting's information even if Author has been advised of the possibility of such damage.

Posting

Well, again, from having no direct experience working with a ME3600/ME3800, I couldn't say for sure just what they are capable of, although the features in the ME 3800X's latest IOS looked promising.

On the question of LAN ports, what I had in mind for that, was to front-end a WAN router with a L3 switch, for example keep your existing 3750 in place. This also would reserve the WAN router for just WAN traffic. (NB: I've often configured branches with 3750s for LAN L2/L3 and then used dedicated ISRs for the WAN links. Works very well, but it is more costly when working with Ethernet hand-offs.)

PS:

Basic QoS, like what's provided by your existing 3750, is often "good" enough when congestion is light and transient. Advanced QoS is useful when dealing with heavy or sustained congestion. Since additional bandwidth can turn heavy or sustained congestion into light and transient congestion, you need to compare the costs of which is actually less expensive. Traditionally, on LANs it was often cheaper to add bandwidth and on WANs it was often cheaper to manage it better. MetroEthernet bandwidth/pricing does impact this.

For example, I see both your diagram and configuration are configured for 400 Mbps across the gig link. Your least expensive option, right now, might be to just have your MetroE vendor increase you logical bandwidth cap and continue to use your existing configuration (output interface limiter increased, of course). However, once you near the gig limit, you might find it's less expensive to better manage the gig bandwidth than to acquire a 2nd or 10gig link.

justanas1 · ‎03-14-2012

Thanks Joseph, I got your point regarding increasing the bandwidth.

I will have new site Site_C which needs to be connected to Site_A with same setup "Customer_A, Custone_B and Video over IP" but the link will be 200Mbps. now i am confused what i should buy, 3750 or go for ME3600? in the two options i will need two switches, one on Site_C and the the other on Site_A because the current 3750 is full. the new switch on Site_A will be conected to the current 3750 in case i need Site_C to communicate with Site_B.

Best regards,

Joseph W. Doherty · ‎03-14-2012

Disclaimer

The Author of this posting offers the information contained within this posting without consideration and with the reader's understanding that there's no implied or expressed suitability or fitness for any purpose. Information provided is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as rendering professional advice of any kind. Usage of this posting's information is solely at reader's own risk.

Liability Disclaimer

In no event shall Author be liable for any damages whatsoever (including, without limitation, damages for loss of use, data or profit) arising out of the use or inability to use the posting's information even if Author has been advised of the possibility of such damage.

Posting

At Site_A, if you go with another 3750, that provides the option to stack with your existing 3750. Don't know whether this offer you any additional value. If stacking isn't important, and will never be used, a 3650 would be a little less expensive.

All I can suggest for the ME series switches, unless someone can directly answer your questions, very carefully review their configuration and reference and guide manuals to see if they will support what you want to do. There's also a ME 3750 but I vaguely recall it doesn't support stacking and its QoS enhancements (at the time I looked at it) seemed weak. For this thread, I did look at the QoS configuration guide chapter for the ME3800X, and it appeared to offer more than I expected.