Help with buying cisco 9400 series core switches for redundancy

[Njequa1]

Hello team, I am in the process of implementing 2 core switches in a redundant mode. All I am looking for is clarity on line cards as well as the licenses I would need to achieve this kind of setup. Below is the specification I am trying to put up in a tender document and I would like help someone to go through it and advise defincies;

Cisco Catalyst 9400 Series Switch

7 Slot chassis

1 Supervisor Engine 2x

1 x 48 port 10/5/2.5/ II CT Multigig line card

2 x Power Supply

1 x 48 Port SFP+ Line Cord

12 x 10 G- LR -sm SFP+

12 x 10 G - SXmm SFP

12 x 1 G - SXmm SFP

Cisco DNA Advantage 3 yrs

SmartNet 8x5xNBD 1 year

[balaji.bandi]

As per cisco CVD, Cat 9400 act as a distribution layer (not necessary - some organization run also core depending on feature and throughput requirement)

personally, I suggest looking for CORE

CAt 9600

or Cat 9500 Models

[Leo Laohoo]

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@Njequa1 wrote:
SmartNet 8x5xNBD 1 year

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Smartnet for what?  For RMA faulty line cards and parts, it is cheaper to buy spare cards and RMA using Cisco Enhanced Limited Lifetime Hardware Warranty. 

There is no longer the need to purchase Smartnet to download firmware because it is already free:  Cisco Catalyst IOS Software Update Program for Cisco Catalyst 9200/X, 9300/X, 9400/X, 9500/X and 9600/X Series Switches

This Program allows customers using a valid Cisco.com ID to receive the following:
●      Free critical updates:

◦    Free critical updates are available to the original customer for up to 1 year after announced end-of- support. These critical updates maintain the compliance of the Software with published specifications, release notes and industry wide compliance.
◦    Free vulnerability and security updates are available to the original customer for up to 3 years after announced end-of-sale.
◦    No support contract is required to obtain these software updates.

●      Free major and minor releases:

◦    Free major and minor release updates are available to an original customer moving from one release to another within the same perpetual license level (i.e. Cisco Network Advantage or Cisco Network Essentials).

◦    No support contract is required to obtain these releases.

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@Njequa1 wrote:
1 x 48 port 10/5/2.5/ II CT Multigig line card

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Make sure all the downstream clients can support this speed.  If there is a downstream client that requires 10-/100 Mbps for channeling and signaling, it won't work.  

What is missing in the BoM is the Network license for the card.  Network license (Network Essential or Network Advantage) is different to DNA License.  DNA License is mandatory.  Without stating anything the Supervisor line card will have Network Essential.