help me find a switch

[Tanveer Dewan]

Hi,

I need to buy an entry level switch with the following features:

qos configuration

security features like port security, ACLs, NAC, IBNS

layer 3 featureset

may or may not be modular

at least 24 ports

at least 6 POE ports

Please suggest the low cost model that is not end of sale.

[Tom Watts]

Hi Tanveer, none of the small business switches support NAC (Network Admission Control). In addition, the small business products do not specifically have "IBNS" as classified by Catalyst switch. It does support several identity based features such as 802.1x and AAA.

If you would like to look in to small business product, please investigate SG300 or SG500 model.

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/small-business-smart-switches/data_sheet_c78-610061.html

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/small-business-500-series-stackable-managed-switches/c78-695646_data_sheet.html

Also if you're looking for more of a datacenter type switch, check out ESW2 model

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/esw2-series-advanced-switches/data_sheet_c78-714764.html

Also check out the small business blog for competition information

http://blogs.cisco.com/smallbusiness/

-Tom
Please mark answered for helpful posts
http://blogs.cisco.com/smallbusiness/

[Tanveer Dewan]

Hi Tom,

After reading the docs, the 300, 500 and ESW2 series seem to not run IOS. Also, it looks like that cisco wants/uses IOS and has completly moved away from CatOS. Therefor I want to be future proof and get a switch that runs IOS natively.

Is the 2960 series what I should be looking at? Is is the cheapest of all that run IOS?

Thanks!

[Tom Watts]

Hi Tanveer, correct, small business product does not run IOS. Cisco 2960 would likely be the next choice up.

-Tom
Please mark answered for helpful posts
http://blogs.cisco.com/smallbusiness/

[Tanveer Dewan]

Since my aim is to be able to test all the possible features that I can, I am going to go for a 2960 'LAN Base' model. I am looking at the datasheet but am not able narrow down to the cheapest ones that can provide the features mentioned in my original post. I didn't realize Cisco has soooooo many models in this lineup. There should be a tool to help select models based on features one needs. Is there one? :-)

Could you please give me the starting range in 'LAN Base'?

Thanks!