05-28-2016 12:10 PM - edited 03-05-2019 04:06 AM
Hi,
I need to connect my 4 branch offices (different geo graphical locations) with HQ as well as with each other. I have acquired 4 x 100MB MPLS Links to connect with branch offices having different subnets. Please any one can tell me that
1- What hardware i should have at my 4 x branch offices to connect with HQ?
2- What hardware should i have at my HQ to connect 4 x branch offices ?
3- What Hardware should i have to connect my 4 x branch offices with each other ?
Need answer very urgently...Thanks in advance for great help.
Thanks !
Solved! Go to Solution.
05-29-2016 01:20 PM
Negative - not a 3560 but a 3650.
Note there is a 3560 switch, but it is old. So don't get those two numbers transposed by accident.
I would use a 3650/891-24X - or - a Firewall, but not both. If you want to keep the ASA 5500s, then you can do it with just those.
But there is a lot of configuration involved. NAT rules. Access rules.
05-28-2016 12:28 PM
The term MPLS is a bit like the term WAN, and can mean a lot of different things.
For example, it is quite possible you have actually bought a VPLS MPLS solution from your provider. And if that it the case, it is quite likely you don't have to put in anything, as the service provider is likely to supply everything,
Another possibility is you have bought point to point layer 2 MPLS services, in which case you are going to have to buy something.
I think it is more likely to be VPLS, because you mention subnets. VPLS is a layer 3 service, and if you had to give the provider subnets, then this is a hint.
So probably best you start this discussion with your MPLS provider and ask them what you need at each end.
05-28-2016 01:22 PM
Thanks Philips,
Say if its L2 MPLS, do i need Firewall at each site, if i am not behind SP firewall ?
05-28-2016 02:15 PM
Only if they are Internet circuits. Are they private links, or Internet circuits?
05-28-2016 09:08 PM
In fact it is Ethernet Network Service (Metro Ethernet). My Provider has given me 4 x 10/100 network Interfaces. so keeping in view , what is hardware i have required at my side ?
05-28-2016 09:50 PM
You have a lot of choices. Options I like are:
Layer 3 switches:
Cisco 3650: http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/catalyst-3650-series-switches/models-comparison.html
Cisco 2960-XR: http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/switches/catalyst-2960-xr-series-switches/tsd-products-support-series-home.html
Routers:
Cisco 891-24X: http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/routers/891-24x-integrated-services-router-isr/model.html
Cisco 891F: http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/support/routers/c891f-integrated-services-routers/model.html
Cisco 4331 (with performance licence) or 4351: http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/routers/4000-series-integrated-services-routers-isr/models-comparison.html
05-28-2016 10:09 PM
05-28-2016 10:13 PM
If you use layer 3 switches - then you only need a switch. No router needed. The reason I like the layer 3 switches is you need a switch at each site anyway, to plug in all the computers.
If you already have layer 2 only switches, then you could consider putting in a router instead.
The routers do have extra functionality, but you are unlikely to need them.
And then you get interesting options, like the 891-24X, which is a router with a 24 port Gigabit switch built in, with 8 of those ports being PoE.
05-28-2016 10:36 PM
I believe each site have 70 to 90 users.and if i buy Cisco layer 3 switches, so i need 2 x 48 10/100/1000 layer 3 switches with IP services for each site. right ?
Thanks !
05-28-2016 10:49 PM
If you are happy with with "RIP", "EIGRP Stub" or "static routing" then you only need "IP Base".
If you have that many users, I would probably go for a stacked pair of Cisco 3850's. You can stack 3650's, but you have to buy extra stacking modules, and after buying those you might as well as bought the higher spec 3850's.
http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/switches/catalyst-3850-series-switches/models-comparison.html
05-28-2016 11:06 PM
Bravo !
One thing more.. if i have fiber hand-off from provider instead of copper RJ45, will i have to change switch ? secondly, i have CISCO ASA 5500 series firewalls on each site, what if i connect hand-off (fiber/copper) directly to firewall and then connect from firewall to switch ?
Thanks !
05-28-2016 11:18 PM
You just need a switch with a fibre module then.
You could use a firewall to terminate the connections. You wouldn't really need anything else to do the layer 3 then.
But the layer 3 switches will be kick-arse fast ...
I guess it comes down to how much you want to spend.
05-29-2016 12:27 AM
05-29-2016 07:17 AM
and another thing that if i use 891-24x routers for terminating Metro Ethernet hands off. whether it will support 100mb WAN circuit speed ? and might be we increase from 100mb to 200mb in future.
thanks !
05-29-2016 01:09 PM
It will manage 100Mb/s no problems.
As long as you don't enable NAT or firewall it should do 200Mb/s easily.
Discover and save your favorite ideas. Come back to expert answers, step-by-step guides, recent topics, and more.
New here? Get started with these tips. How to use Community New member guide