cat 9500 vs 9600

[susim]

Hi,

Requirement is 90 ports downlink  (for edge  switches and  4x40  for server farm )

going  for 2 cat 9500  or one 9600 is good performance wise 

Thanks

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi,

If you want to have switch redundancy then 2 9500 configured as Virtual Stack is a better choice. A single 9600 with 2 sups and 2 PSUs will give you sup and PSU redundancy but not a complete switch redundancy. A better design would be to use 2 9600 if you have the budget and the space.

HTH

[susim]

Hi @Reza Sharifi 

Virtual stack or complete layer 3 is better choice ?

buying 2x9500 and 1x 9600 almost same price , In terms of performance, throughput   which would be the best choice apart from redundancy

Thanks

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi,

Virtual stack or complete layer 3 is better choice ?

Virtual Stack is usually a better choice, as you don't have to worry about HSRP, VRRP, etc. In addition, since 2 switches logically become one, there is no need for STP to block redundant links. So, you get to use all the downlinks and uplinks.

buying 2x9500 and 1x 9600 almost same price , In terms of performance, throughput   which would be the best choice apart from redundancy

You would have to go through the datasheets for that info, but usually, the throughput is higher on larger chassis.

HTH

[Joseph W. Doherty]

I haven't dug into the detailed specs of either Catalyst, but usually, the chassis will have better performance/throughput capacity.

Generally this is due to chassis having more "hardware" (such as buffer space) supporting the platform, and a true switching fabric between line cards than one cannot be provided via some form of stack (the disparity tends to grow as you add stack members, vs. adding line cards).

Way back when, I was tasked in trying to compute MTBF and MTTR between stacks and switches (using component numbers).  Usually, vendors have pretty good numbers for hardware, but software is a real wildcard; difficult to obtain "good numbers".  That noted, again way back, it seem chassis IOS versions tended to be more reliable or stable (for multiple reasons).

[marce1000]

 - Review differences according to these links : https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-9000/nb-06-cat9k-swit-plat-faq-cte-en.html#CiscoCatalyst9600Seriesswitches              and            https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-9000/nb-06-cat9k-swit-plat-faq-cte-en.html#CiscoCatalyst9500Seriesswitches

 M.