Upgrading Cisco Core Layer 3 Switch from netgear.

[pepsi4all]

In your experience, is there a way I can slowly upgrade a Core Layer 3 switch Netgear to Layer 3 cisco reducing any downtime?

The core layer 3 sw is connected to ASA which then connects to ISP.  

Any suggestions would be great.

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

On paper, yes. 

In practice, no.  

Core switch upgrade, hardware-wise, is no easy matter.  Some clients, for example, do not like a loss of connection (like VM servers or storage arrays).  

The best thing is to install the new core switch (if space allows) and run both concurrently and cut-over one segment at a time during low traffic period.

[pepsi4all]

"The best thing is to install the new core switch (if space allows) and run both concurrently and cut-over one segment at a time during low traffic period" 

This advice, I shall follow... wish me luck