Core router/switch upgrade: 6840-X or 3850-48XS?

[bkoch1]

Within the next year or so, we'll be looking to upgrade from our 6509 VSS pair (w/ SUP720-10GE) to something newer. My first choice was the 6840-X, but the specs on the 3850-48XS are really impressive for switching.

The drawback to the 3850-X is no VSS. Our current VSS pair are located in 2 separate buildings, to allow for routing/switching resiliency if power to one building goes down. Yes, there are data center UPS's in both buildings. Implementing the 3850s would mean moving the entire "core" to one data center and stacking them.

What are your opinions?

[Leo Laohoo]

Don't bother. 

Cisco has recently announced a new family of switches, the Catalyst 9300, 9400 and 9500.

The 9300 is an access switch that will be the direct replacement of the 3650 and 3850. 

The 9400 is a distribution layer switch that will be the the direct replacement of the 4000/4500 chassis. 

The 9500 is a core layer switch that will be the direct replacement of the 6000/6500/6800 system.  

Protect your network investment and consider the newer models over the old ones.  

[bkoch1]

Unfortunately, the 9400 SFP line cards don't support 1G SFP's though.

[Leo Laohoo]

the 9400 SFP line cards don't support 1G SFP's though.

Yes they will.