Help picking out switch for core

[hoosier2933]

Hello,

I walked into a setup currently with 5 2960x switches daisy chained in a line, they all do have sfp+ ports on them. I would like to find something with atleast 5 sfp+ ports on it so I could bring all these 2960's into it. They only have about 100 users on the lan, dc, file server, etc.. and thats about it. I was looking at the 3850 models, but is there any version of those that comes with what im looking for, but without the other 24 or 48 poe ports, seems to be overkill for what im needing here. Just need maybe 6 or 8 sfp+ ports without the extras. Thanks in advance for any help and input.

[Reza Sharifi · Accepted solution]

Hi,

You can use a 12 port sfp/sfp+ 3850 (WS-C3850-12XS).  See data sheet below and have a look at table-1.

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-3850-series-switches/data_sheet_c78-720918.html

HTH

[hoosier2933]

Thank you very much, I was looking at the 3850 comparison sheet but couldnt find that particular model. When it comes to the transceiver modules, is there a good way to find out which module is compatible with which switch? For example would the 3850 take a different model 10GB module than the 2960x? 

[Reza Sharifi]

Hi,

Usually the transceivers work across model of the same platform with no issues. For example, on the Catalyst series switches you can use the same optic across the models.  This gets a little more challenging when you for example try to put a Catalyst transceiver into Nexus device but in your case It should not matter.

HTH

[Joseph W. Doherty]

For the 2960X series, you have the option to use stack modules. See https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/catalyst-2960-x-series-switches/white-paper-c11-739615.html

For a small network, like yours, possibly a less expensive and/or "better" choice.

[hoosier2933]

Sorry, I shouldve explained layout before. We have 5 2960's but we are like a small campus with separate buildings right next to each other. So I have 2 2960's in one closet, fiber to another building where we have 2 more, and fiber to 3rd building where we have 1 2960 and this is where 3850 would go in same closet as servers. They currently have 1GB fiber to copper converters that connect each 2960 from building to building in a chain. So I could stack the 2 2960's in each closet, and then take fiber from sfp+ ports on all of the 2960's to the 3850? If i stack 2 2960's would i only need to take fiber from 1 of their sfp+ ports to the 3850, or is it best practice to take fiber from 1 sfp+ port on each 2960 even if theyre stacked? I appreciate the feedback.

[Joseph W. Doherty]

Did you read the whitepaper? I wasn't aware that the 2960s now has extended (fiber) stacking modules.

[hoosier2933]

Well i was thinking about stacking just the 2960x's that are in the same closet. Then take fiber from sfp+port on the 2960x's to the 3850. So would be 2 2960x's stacked in closet #1 with fiber to 3850. Then 2 2960x's stacked in closet #2 with fiber to 3850. Does that make sense? I was just wondering if I stack the 2960x's in closet 1, do i have to take fiber from 1 sfp+ port on each of those 2960x's to the 3850, or I can just take fiber from 1 of those 2960x's sfp+ ports to the 3850? 

[Reza Sharifi]

I was just wondering if I stack the 2960x's in closet 1, do i have to take fiber from 1 sfp+ port on each of those 2960x's to the 3850, or I can just take fiber from 1 of those 2960x's sfp+ ports to the 3850? 

If you are stacking the 2960x, than it is good idea to take a 2 fibers (one from each switch) to the 3850.  Make sure to put both links in a Portchannel so, they logically act as one and no need to worry about STP blocking any ports.

HTH