Best Practices for Branch network design

[snared04drummer]

Typically the topology for our sites has been a redundant pair of routers, then a redundant set of Layer 3 switches, however many access switches are needed, and then the end devices.

However, it has been suggested that we transition to an "all-in-one" sort of solution using a Cisco 5400 ENCS

http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/routers/5400-enterprise-network-compute-system/datasheet-c78-738512.html

The idea being that we can replace our servers, routers and Layer 3 switches with one device.

I have my reservations about the first two points, but what I'd ask about specifically is the best practices in regards to replacing layer 3 switches with switch modules on routers. 

We already had some older routers that had switch modules and had a myriad of problems with the modules themselves, but beyond that I feel like combining all the switching and routing (not to mention ASA, WAAS, etc) under the same roof all utilizing the same hardware isn't such a hot idea.

Can anyone share their experiences with this solution, or other thoughts on taking this approach?

[Julio E. Moisa]

Hi 

I think you are going to implement a two layered model or also called collapsed model. The same device doing Core and Distribution layer

https://www.google.com/search?q=cisco+collapsed+model&client=firefox-b&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwipxqWnnuvTAhXF1CYKHTNAAEwQ_AUIBigB&biw=1366&bih=659#imgrc=bWZYRogUiBM0JM:

I have implemented this design with 6500, they are robust switches and you can have ethernet modules, firewall models, etc.

You could have 1 devices with 2 powers supply and 2 supervisors, I have not worked with 5400 models but Also you could consider the Cisco 6800. The best advice is to have 2 devices as collapsed by it also depends of your budget.

http://www.cisco.com/c/dam/assets/prod/switches/cisco-switch-selector-how-to/index.html?utm_source=www.uoota.com

http://www.cisco.com/c/dam/assets/prod/routers/cisco-router-selector/index.html

Hope it is useful

:-)