cisco 3850 as edge switch in data center

[julia.joseph1]

Hi,

I am having a dilema when it comes to replace the 2 cisco 3750 switches in the datacenter. They have links to Nexus 5000, where the servers and storage are connected, act as main L3 devices, where MPLS traffic from branches also comes and where the main firewalls are connected.

I am debating on replacing them with 3850s, or 4500X, but more inclined to 3850s; Has anybody successfully used these in the datacenter as edge devices?

Thanks,

Julia

[Leo Laohoo]

Catalyst switches are not ideal for DC work.  The main reason is their very shallow buffers.  These switches are fine for occasional burst of traffic from PC, laptops, printers, etc. but throw them up against high-speed-and-hitless traffic from servers and you'll be dropping packets like there's no tomorrow.

You have existing Nexus 5K, this is good because you can just add 2K to the mix and you've got it.