L3 switch or router for Comcast fiber (EDI)

[rmathewsjr55]

Hello. I would like some suggestions on the following. We have purchased Comcast Ethernet Direct Internet (EDI). Fiber is run directly to the CPE. Comcast is providing a Ciena LE-311 switch that handoffs the fiber to RJ-45 copper. Does anyone have experience with this device? Should we use a L3 Switch or Route to connect to this? My concern is security and throughput. We have 100Mbps connection but planning in the near future to go to 1Gbps. This service is for corporate Internet access. Thank you.

[mvsheik123]

Hi,

Ciena should work just fine.My ISP ( and other P2P pvt link provider as well) uses the Cienas and we never had any issues. What you need to connect, depends on how your infrastructure. ex: BGP routing etc : Router port and if its default route use your firewall outside interface.  You need to work with Comcast on your router/fw (speed/duplex) settings and how you are planning to access internet.

hth

MS

[paolo bevilacqua]

What's your budget ?

[Joseph W. Doherty · Accepted solution]

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Posting

For features, router normally wins.

For performance, L3 switch normally wins.

For a gig link, almost any current L3 switch with gig port would have the peformance.  For a router you'll want (in [debatable] ascending performance) 3925, 3945, 7200 w/G1, 3925E, 7200 w/G2, 3945E or ASR 100x.  (Which would be best depends on actual expected traffic load and feature use.)

[rmathewsjr55]

Thank you all for your help. We will move forward with placing a L3 switch behind the Ciena LE-311 switch. With this in place, can we configure the L3 switch to provide load balancing if we were to connect another high speed 100Mbps ISP service in the future?

[Joseph W. Doherty]

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

Assuming you'll be routing, a L3 switch should be able to load balance outbound.  Load balancing inbound, if you're doing Internet, may be difficult.