Solved: L2 Switch recommendation

avilt · ‎02-22-2011

In my current setup, we have around 300 nodes with Catalyst 4006 L3 switch for intervaln routing. No VOIP, COS or QOS, its just the data network.

I need to replace all the switches. I am attaching the current network setup diagram and the link utilization graph of the back pane from the L3 switche .

Appreciate your advice.

Leo Laohoo · ‎02-23-2011

For your access switches, I'd recommend 2960S.

To replace your 4006 is a bit tricky. So what you want is a Layer 3 interface between your 4006 core with the router. If this is the case, then you have alot of options.

3750E/3750X is a good start.

If you want to stick with a 4500 then go with the 4500+ with Sup7 (same price as the Sup6).

If you want to go with the 6500 then I'd recommend that you want (if you can afford to wait) because of the soon-to-be-released VSS-Sup2T.

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Leo Laohoo · ‎02-23-2011

I need a economical and redundant setup.

Hence my recommendation of the 3750E/3750X. You can also go down to the plain 3750 for your core. Stack a number of the 3750 together and you'll have adequate redundancy in ports and uplinks to your floor switches.

For your access switch then I would recommend 2960S due to the ability to stack them together.

View solution in original post

Kishore Chennupati · ‎02-23-2011

Hi,

In my honest opinion I think 6500 or 4500 will be an overkill for this setup.

1. For Layer 2 switches 2960S are pretty good. They can be stacked as well

2. For the L3 switch I would suggest getting 2 x Cisco WS-C3750G-12S-E(Just in case the BW goes beyond 100M, we gotta think about the future as well). Please find below a model comparison

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps5023/prod_models_comparison.html

Get 2 of these and connect them to each other and the 2 stacks of 2960S access switches and enable HSRP on them so that you have redundancy. Right now in your setup the 4006 is a single point of failure.

Does this make sense?

HTH,

Regards

Please rate if helpful

View solution in original post

Kishore Chennupati · ‎02-23-2011

Hi,

The price of WS-C3750G-12S-E should be around 7k from my memory definetly under 10k. Way less than a 4500 series. As I said you can buy 2 of the 3750 and connect into a HSRP setup and you can have redundancy. I am suggesting this purely interms of L3 redundancy and pricing. If you have any other special requirements from your L3 switch then do let me know.

HTH.

Regards,

Please rate if helpful

View solution in original post

Leo Laohoo · ‎02-23-2011

1. When you purchase the 2960S, be aware that the stacking module and the stacking cables are OPTIONAL.

2. When you purchase the 3750-12S, make sure you buy the SFP modules of your choice and specify if you want IP Base or IP Services feature set.

I doublechecked your design. Are you sure you'll only need four uplinks? If this is so then the 3750G-12S could be an overkill. A 3750G has four SFP ports. So if you want to drive your price down, check out the 3750G-24 and you'll get a 24-port switch (for your servers).

Otherwise your design is simple and do-able.

View solution in original post

Leo Laohoo · ‎02-23-2011

I need a total of 5 SFP uplinks(one between two L3 switches).

Each 3750G has 4 SFP ports. If you stack two together this brings the number of SFP ports to 8.

I prefer gbps backplane, kindly advice.

The 3750/3750G has a 32Gbs backplane. The 3750E and the 3750X has a 64 Gbps backplane.

View solution in original post

Leo Laohoo · ‎02-23-2011

Sorry for the confusion, I need a total of 5 SFP cables on each L3 switch.

Ahhhh ... Ok. Then 3750G-12S is your answer.

View solution in original post

Kishore Chennupati · ‎02-24-2011

Hi,

From what I have seen IP base image supports basic L3 routing like static routing, RIP, EIGRP(not full features). It doesn't support ospfv2 if thats what you are asking for.If you want to deploy ospf then you better for IP services. But, from your topology do you really need ospf?

HTH,

Regards,

Please rate if helpful

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Leo Laohoo · ‎02-24-2011

IP Base will support RIPv1/v2, ISIS and, depending on the IOS version you have, OSPFv1 (you really don't want to use this). IP Services will support OSPFv2 and the rest.

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Leo Laohoo · ‎02-24-2011

By the way instead of using SFP cables, can I just use GBPS LAN cables to create a uplink from L2 to L3 switches?

Are you saying you don't want to use fibre optic cables for your uplink?

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Kishore Chennupati · ‎02-24-2011

Hi,

If you want wan to buy low end then you still need 2 switches and you still need to stack them to get 5 uplinks. Also if your traffic is going to be greater than 1Gbps between the L2 and L3 switches you would still need the 1G uplink ports. If you look at the whole thing, it will cost you about the same.

so , i would recommend going for a 12port fibre switch. Its up to you though.

HTH.

Regards,

Please rate if helpful

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Leo Laohoo · ‎02-24-2011

Yes, is it possible or recommended since L2 ports are also gbps ports.

Sure it's possible. Instead of using the more expensive 3750G-12S, you can use other models of the 3750G series of switches.

View solution in original post

Kishore Chennupati · ‎02-25-2011

Hi,

If you gonna use the gig copper ports on the 3750, then you dont need to stack them. just trunk them across the way it was in your diagram.

you only stack the 2960's.

HTH

Regards,

Please rate if helpful

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Kishore Chennupati · ‎02-27-2011

Hi,

yea. you can just use the copper ports. should be ok

Regards

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Kishore Chennupati · ‎02-28-2011

should be fine. You can span it and STP can take care of avoiding Layer2 loops.

HTH,

Regards,

Please rate if helpful

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avilt · ‎02-22-2011

Sorry for the wrong discussion subject, it should be L2 and L3 switch recommendation

Leo Laohoo · ‎02-23-2011

For your access switches, I'd recommend 2960S.

To replace your 4006 is a bit tricky. So what you want is a Layer 3 interface between your 4006 core with the router. If this is the case, then you have alot of options.

3750E/3750X is a good start.

If you want to stick with a 4500 then go with the 4500+ with Sup7 (same price as the Sup6).

If you want to go with the 6500 then I'd recommend that you want (if you can afford to wait) because of the soon-to-be-released VSS-Sup2T.

avilt · ‎02-23-2011

I need to replace all the L2 and L3 switches and not the routers. Looking at the current backplane utilization of the L3 switch, do I really need such a high end L3 switch? I need a economical and redundant setup.

Leo Laohoo · ‎02-23-2011

I need a economical and redundant setup.

Hence my recommendation of the 3750E/3750X. You can also go down to the plain 3750 for your core. Stack a number of the 3750 together and you'll have adequate redundancy in ports and uplinks to your floor switches.

For your access switch then I would recommend 2960S due to the ability to stack them together.

avilt · ‎02-24-2011

Do I need to stack 3750 switches together? I have to just stack C2960S access switches and then connect them to L3 3750 switches right?

Kishore Chennupati · ‎02-23-2011

Hi,

In my honest opinion I think 6500 or 4500 will be an overkill for this setup.

1. For Layer 2 switches 2960S are pretty good. They can be stacked as well

2. For the L3 switch I would suggest getting 2 x Cisco WS-C3750G-12S-E(Just in case the BW goes beyond 100M, we gotta think about the future as well). Please find below a model comparison

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps5023/prod_models_comparison.html

Get 2 of these and connect them to each other and the 2 stacks of 2960S access switches and enable HSRP on them so that you have redundancy. Right now in your setup the 4006 is a single point of failure.

Does this make sense?

HTH,

Regards

Please rate if helpful

avilt · ‎02-23-2011

I have attached my new network design, please advice.

The cost of 4506E is around 40,000US$.

What is the approximate cost of Cisco WS-C3750G-12S-E? Is it really significant?

Kishore Chennupati · ‎02-23-2011

Hi,

The price of WS-C3750G-12S-E should be around 7k from my memory definetly under 10k. Way less than a 4500 series. As I said you can buy 2 of the 3750 and connect into a HSRP setup and you can have redundancy. I am suggesting this purely interms of L3 redundancy and pricing. If you have any other special requirements from your L3 switch then do let me know.

HTH.

Regards,

Please rate if helpful

Leo Laohoo · ‎02-23-2011

1. When you purchase the 2960S, be aware that the stacking module and the stacking cables are OPTIONAL.

2. When you purchase the 3750-12S, make sure you buy the SFP modules of your choice and specify if you want IP Base or IP Services feature set.

I doublechecked your design. Are you sure you'll only need four uplinks? If this is so then the 3750G-12S could be an overkill. A 3750G has four SFP ports. So if you want to drive your price down, check out the 3750G-24 and you'll get a 24-port switch (for your servers).

Otherwise your design is simple and do-able.

avilt · ‎02-23-2011

I need a total of 5 SFP uplinks(one between two L3 switches). My server segment has got more than 40 devices so I need a cascade of 2*48 port switches. Since I have only data network IP Base will work.

I was going thru the link http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps5023/prod_models_comparison.html

I am left with only 3 options for L3 switch. I prefer gbps backplane, kindly advice.

Leo Laohoo · ‎02-23-2011

I need a total of 5 SFP uplinks(one between two L3 switches).

Each 3750G has 4 SFP ports. If you stack two together this brings the number of SFP ports to 8.

I prefer gbps backplane, kindly advice.

The 3750/3750G has a 32Gbs backplane. The 3750E and the 3750X has a 64 Gbps backplane.

avilt · ‎02-23-2011

Sorry for the confusion, I need a total of 5 SFP cables on each L3 switch.

Leo Laohoo · ‎02-23-2011

Sorry for the confusion, I need a total of 5 SFP cables on each L3 switch.

Ahhhh ... Ok. Then 3750G-12S is your answer.

avilt · ‎02-23-2011

Whats is the difference between Upgradable IP Base Layer 3 and IP Services Adv. L3. I just need OSPF routing.

Thank You for the feedback.