10-23-2012 07:50 PM - edited 03-07-2019 09:38 AM
We're looking for Cisco switches with the following attributes to serve as the core switches in a production network:
So far the closest fit we've found for these requirements is the SG500X-24. However, since the SG500X-24 is a "small business" switch we're concerned that the reliability may not be up to the levels of Cisco's enterprise switches, the support level may not be sufficient, the 12MB packet buffer may not be enough to support wire-speed operation (or efficient communication between hosts on 1GbE and 10GbE ports), and so on. But in looking through Cisco's entire current switch line (a daunting task...) this seems to be the switch that best fits the specifications above.
So it would be very helpful to get answers to any of these questions:
Thanks!
10-24-2012 06:44 PM
Is your switch going to perform Layer 2 or Layer 3? MPLS?
4 or more 1/10GbE fiber ports (SFP+)
Is this a SINGLE unit? For the Cisco Catalyst range, if you stack a 2960S or a 3750X together, you'll get the requirement for >4x10Gbps port.
10-24-2012 07:18 PM
Just basic layer 2, no MPLS. And yes, we want 4 or more 1/10GbE fiber/SFP+ ports in each individual switch.
It looks like either the Catalyst 2360 or 4948E would be candidates as well since they each have 4 10GbE ports (though I'm not clear if those ports can connect at 1GbE as well--I assume so but the product pages weren't clear). But at 48 1GbE ports each they have higher port density than we need, and they also cost a good bit more than the SG500X-24.
12-24-2012 06:43 PM
Just a followup for anyone who happens across this forum posting in the future: we went with the SG500X-24, and thus far it's working out very well--the 10GbE ports appear to operate at near wire speed (based on iperf testing) and interoperability with other devices is good. A very good switch at a very good price.
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