3560v2 vs 3560x

[Patrick McHenry]

Hi,

I just ordered a 3560x. I have some concerns about starting to make the x series the standard and wondering if I should return it for the 3560v2.

All of our switches at the moment are 3560s or 3750s with the exception of 1 3750v2.

Are the images the same as the 3560 and 3560v2/3750and 3750v2?

Can 3750x stack with the 3750s and 3750v2? We have some 3750 stacks now.

Are the 3560s, 3750s 10/100/1000 going to be end of life soon?

The price of the 3560s and 3560x are roughly the same so, price wise it doesn't make much of a difference but, is there any disadvantage to me going to the 3560x and 3750x?

The option to upgrade to 10g uplinks is cool but, I also can channel the existing 4g uplinks on the 3560 and 3750 which will probably suffice for a fews I would think, maybe not?

sorry for all the questions.

Thanks for any guidance, Pat.

[Leo Laohoo]

Can 3750x stack with the 3750s and 3750v2? We have some 3750 stacks now.

Yes as long as entire stack has the same IOS version and feature set.

Are the 3560s, 3750s 10/100/1000 going to be end of life soon?

The 3560 and 3750 range with 16 mb flash will be end-of-sale soon.

The price of the 3560s and 3560x are roughly the same so, price wise it doesn't make much of a difference but, is there any disadvantage to me going to the 3560x and 3750x?

Nope.  I'd take the "X" series any time.

[Patrick McHenry]

Leolaohoo, Thanks for the info.

Are the images the same for the 3560s/3750s and the 3560x/3750x. I know that when you go to the software download page they have different links to click for different models such as a 48 port 24 port, PoE, but, they are really the same when you look at the name of the image. Are the X images the same as the 3560s and 3750s. Or is there a total new set just for X switches?

thanks, Pat.

[Leo Laohoo]

You can download the same IOS feature set with the plain ones or the "X".

If your plain switches are running, for example, 12.2(55)SE1 IP Base, then make sure your "X" are running the same IOS version and feature set.

Another thing:  If your plain 3750 has 16 mb flash, the highest IOS you can go is 12.2(55)SE and higher.  You can't use 12.2(58)SE and higher.  You also cannot use 15.0(1)SE IOS.

[Patrick McHenry]

Just to be clear.

So, you are saying that we can run the same exact image that we run on our 3560s and 3560v2 on the 3560x?

And you would recommend that?

I have upgraded all the switches to the latest ipbase image so, we are consistant there. If you were me would you load the same image on the 3560x.

what about the future. When I go around and upgrade again should I use the x image everywhere?

Thanks for your help, Pat.

[Patrick McHenry]

Just looked and the image is c3560e-ipbasek9-mz.150-1.SE.bin. So, the name is a little different from the old 3560s. Seems they don't take the same image. Any idea what the e stands for "3560e" ?

And why are you so pro X? Can you think of other reasons why we should go with them

Thanks, Pat.

[Leo Laohoo]

Any idea what the e stands for "3560e" ?

It stands for the switch model, 3560E.  The "E" and "X" use the same IOS.

And why are you so pro X? Can you think of other reasons why we should go with them

Because the PoE version can support up to 20.0W per port (on the "E") and 30.0 w (on the "X");

Because "E" and "X" support redundant power supplies

Because they support 10Gb; and

Because they have USB ports.

... bragging rights!

[ankugarg]

Adding to all this-

3560x is much more capable and powerful than 3560v2(and obviously expensive)...3560v2 will consume less power compared to old 3560.

Now coming back to E and X.Earlier cisco had only 3560 series.Then they came out with 3560e which was improved version,and E stood for excellent..Then 3560X came,which was improved version of 3560E,and X stood for "Extra smart".

I hope i got the acronyms right ..But they were some fancy adjectives for sure

[Patrick McHenry]

Like I mentioned before, our switches are plain 3560s, 3560PoE and 3750s, 3750PoE  except one 3750v2.

I don't mean to beat a dead horse. Just so I am perfectly clear. I understand that I have to be careful about the amount of flash to hold the image but, can the same IOS versions and feature sets that I use on the plain 3560s and 3750s be used on the 3560x and 3750x or is it only the 3560e and 3750e that are compatible with the 3560x and 3750x IOS and feature sets or is it both?

And is the reverse true? Can the same IOS versions and feature sets that are available for the 3560x and 3750x be used on the plain 3560 and 3750 if there is enough flash in the older models?

Thanks, Pat.

[ankugarg]

Hi Pat,

Normally there is feature parity between all 3k switches,but there might exist some odd feature,which does not have parity.Also,the asic of these switches differ,so the real difference comes in terms of TCAM,buffers etc.,except the hardware differences like power stack,redundant power supplies etc(which i don't think you are concerned).

In terms of software features,X and E will have complete parity,since they use the same image(With some differences like poe capability which depends on hardware).Parity of these with normal 3560 and 3750 should also be there except some odd feature(i can't think of any now.In the upcoming release,i am aware of one feature which will work only on E and X).But generally used features will work equally well on both.

-Ankur

[Patrick McHenry]

So would you recommend putting 3560 image on a 3560 and 3560x image on 3560x as best practice to avoid these odd feature pariies.

Also, is really a big difference in price from the x and v2?

Thanks Pat.

[ankugarg]

you can't put 3560 image on 3560X,and vice versa...3560X is progression of 3560E,so the images of 3560X and 3560E are same,and it has 3560e in the image name,rather than only 3560.You won't be able to boot up one with the image of another.

I don't know the exact figures,but whatever i have heard,there is good price difference between x and v2.

[Patrick McHenry]

Ankur,

Forgive me but, it seems you answer contradicts your previous post.

"In terms of software features,X and E will have complete parity,since they use the same image(With some differences like poe capability which depends on hardware).Parity of these with normal 3560 and 3750 should also be there except some odd feature"

Did you correct yourself or did I misunderstand the bolded sentence copied from your previous post?

Thank you for your help Ankur.

Pat

[ankugarg]

No,i think you misunderstood ...I said X and E has COMPLETE parity,because they have same image.But i referred to 3560 and 3750 separately,because they don't have the same image.On software point of view,there will be feature parity,but you can't use the same image.The difference is mostly is ASIC and hardware capabilities.

[ankugarg]

I mean almost same set of features will be supported on both the images,except very few odd features.