4500 R+E with sup 8 vs. (3850 stack + 5508 WLC)

[kevin dinh]

I got into discussion about upgrade our 3750 stack, 4404 WLC, less than 50 APs (APs spread out over MPLS WAN). I'm planning to get 4510 R+ E with 2 sup 8, but another opinion talked me down to 3850 stack with 5508 WLC. Basically, his argument is 3850 stack can do everything 4500 R+E can do, plus it's not hulky as 4500. My argument is I like unify access since sup 8 built in WLC and we don't have to get 5508. I know there're more 4500 R+E and respect his argument. Does anyone has input on these setup giving pricing is not much different between setup.

Thanks

Kevin

[Leo Laohoo]

In my honest opinion, if you are posted this solution here, you are smelling something is off.  I hate to be a bearer of bad news.  It is.  

We went through the same exercise 2 years ago.  We wanted to upgrade our legacy 3750/3750G to 3750X and we found out that if we were to get a stack of four (or more ) 3750X, it is cheaper (much, much cheaper) to get a 4510R+E bundle (with Sup7E included) and associated line cards on top.  Just to note, the 3750X and 3850 have the same price.  The Sup7E and Sup8E have the same price.  

Don't ask me why your consultant wanted you to get 3850.  I am refraining myself putting two theories in here.

[kevin dinh]

I found out that both 3850/4500 with integrated mobility controller can't allow CAPWAP tunnel over WAN. Therefore, 5508 WLC is a must for my deployment. I can use integrated MC for head quarter backup.