Changing Switch Core

[Javi Benito]

Hi,

I would like to change our switch "core" (3com 5500G) by Cisco switch.

We have 700 devices in the LAN and it would be necessary that it has layer 3 capabilities.

What Cisco switch do you recommend me?.

If you need more information, tell me.

Regards,

Javi

[Mathias Garcia · Accepted solution]

To little information about you needs and how the network looks.

Please describe a bit more what type of traffic flows you have, multiple building, datacentre, type of traffic, etc.

Do you have a 3 layered solution or a colapsed core?

A diagram of the existing enviroment would be usefull.

But normal switches used in the core include the 4500 series and the 6500 series. But also 4948G, 3750G and possibly 3560G.

It depends on your requirements on throughput, port density and redundancy/resilience. And also on budget. Future growth expectations etc.

[Javi Benito]

Hi,

Thanks for your help.

The actual network is divided in 2 vlans which are configured in the switch core. This switch connects one fiber switch that goes to 3 datacenters in the same building, to several access switches and to another building.

Now, I don´t have a diagram of the network....

                 Access Switches(vlan100)        Access switches in another building (vlan100)

                                                    |            |

                                                    |         

Firewall ----> 3com layer switch -> Fiber switch  ------- Datacenter 1 (vlan200)

                                                       |       |

                                                       |       |

                                       DC 2(vlan100)   Backup Data Center(vlan100)

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

A bit more info please ...

Do you need 10Gb fibre? 

[Javi Benito]

Sorry, the network would be 1 GB.

I'm finding a switch that has the possibility of clustering and power redundancy.

thanks!!

[Javi Benito]

I´been looking at the cisco webpage and I think the best switches for my deployment could be 3750-X and 4948.

However 3750-X is destined to interconnecting servers and 4948 for the network core?

What do you think?

[Leo Laohoo · Accepted solution]

I'm finding a switch that has the possibility of clustering and power redundancy.

However 3750-X is destined to interconnecting servers and 4948 for the network core?

Clustering?  In a data centre?  I think you are confused between clustering and (smart) stacking.

In regards to stacking and power redundancy, then 3750E or 3750X is your candidate.  4948/4948E can't do stacking.

[mohamedtag]

Dear Javi ,

The 3 Datacenters you mentioned connected to the current 3COM Core Switch , Are they Access Switches used to connect over them the Datacenter  Servers , Or the Actual Data Center Servers are currently connected to the 3COM Core Switch Directly ?

Regards

[Javi Benito]

The datacenter servers are connected to access switches and these switches are connected to fiber optic switch which goes to the principal fiber optic switch that is connect with 3com.