core switch -selection

[bluesea2010]

Hi,

What are the pros and cons choosing a modular switch  as core and fixed  as a core 

example cat 9500 and 9600 

Thanks

[balaji.bandi]

Both works as CORE

Depends on requirement, some people build BLOCKs using Cat 9500, some people prefer chasis Cat 9600

Look at the cost Cat 9600 very expensive compare to Cat 9500 deployment

Again this is business decision what model to go, both works as CORE

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi,

It depends on the requirement.  if you need flexibility with different types of interfaces and speeds (copper, fiber, POE, etc) and also Sup redundancy inside the switch then a chassis works usually better than a fixed switch. The other thing that is also important is the number of interfaces you need, a chassis usually gives you a lot more flexibility, because if you run out of interfaces, you simply add a new module, and you are good to go versus with a fixed switch you don't have that option. 

HTH

[bluesea2010]

Hi @Reza Sharifi 

What about redundancy  not only on sup level  also  line card , I need only one line card , is it good to have another spare lince card 

Thanks

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi,

What about redundancy  not only on sup level  also  line card , I need only one line card , is it good to have another spare lince card 

Yes, if your environment is critical and you need to have things up and running within minutes or hours, it is important to have spare parts in hand in case of a failure. The other thing you would need to look at is the next-day business or same-day business support by TAC for RMAs if your environment is very critical. Also, if you are deploying these switches at the core of the network, you need chassis redundancy as well. So, you need 2 chassis.

HTH

[Leo Laohoo]

Depends on a lot of factors.  But it mostly boils down to design vs cost.  

Unlike what marketing brochures say, Core switch requires regular maintenance:  Firmware upgrades or reboots.  In the past, classic core switches, like 6500/6800 chassis, have extremely stableIOS codes.  Cisco even has a special team that thoroughly test the firmware.  This was (past tense) the hugely popular Cisco Safe Harbor.  

Budget plays a pivotal role as well.  Take the Instant Access switch as an example.  Instant Access switch was competing against 3850 stacks but Instant Access had an unaffordable price and the development/improvements to the IA features was "stymied" in favour of IOS-XE.  

Finally, look at "core switches", like the 9600.  9600 is aimed at core switching because the line cards are specifically designed for that specific role.  People have known to directly connect PCs (because they were "servers", in a sense) to "core switch" because they could not be bothered (or could not afford) to put an aggregate switch.  After all, core switch is core switch. 

IF there is a design, show us and we should be able to help determine if the core switch is a chassis-based or not.