Recommended switch replacement

[kmcgaugh]

Hey all,

I am brainstorming right now and thought I'd post here to get others ideas. I'm scoping a switch replacement project for a big multi-building campus. Most of the network is all Cisco Meraki switches and access points, but there is one last switch stack that I am trying to replace on campus with a Cisco Meraki switch stack. Currently, both are Cisco Catalyst WS-C3750G-12S-S. This switch stack is acting as a fiber distribution for 5 MS220-8Ps and 1 MS220-24P. I'm thinking if it's 2 12 port fiber switches stack together, then it makes sense to go with an MS425-32. What do you guys think?

I look forward to hearing y'alls recommendations. Thanks!

[GreenMan]

Not MS425 (any more) as it's End of Sale: https://documentation.meraki.com/General_Administration/Other_Topics/Meraki_End-of-Life_(EOL)_Products_and_Dates

I'd recommend looking at a stack of 2 x C9300X-12Y-M https://documentation.meraki.com/MS/MS_Overview_and_Specifications/Catalyst_9300X-M_Datasheet#Models

There is a 24-port model too, but I assume the existing pair provides some resilience in the solution, should one unit fail.

[Philip D'Ath · Accepted solution]

@kmcgaugh , going sideways, you could also check out the Meraki switch selector.

https://meraki.cisco.com/products/switches/models/

@GreenMan , the web site currently was a wrong link. If you go to meraki.com, click on "Technologies" and then "Switching", it takes you to WiFi products.

[kmcgaugh]

Thank you so much! This will definitely help. I knew that Cisco has a hardware selector, but I never knew that Cisco Meraki did. I will use this to narrow it down for the future.

[GreenMan]

I couldn't get those website links to misbehave - even on my phone just an hour after you posted @Philip D'Ath - everything ok now or is it, maybe, something geo-based...?

[Philip D'Ath]

Its been fixed now

[GreenMan]

👍

[joey.debra]

The best replacements for what you are asking are the C9300X-12Y-M or -24Y-M switches. These have all 1/10/25 Gbps SFP connections and even have the ability to add an uplink module with even more 25 Gbps ports or even 100 Gbps ports.

Stacking on this switch model is still on the backplane with special cables.

[redsector]

... and very expensive

[redsector]

I replaced some Catalyst 3750 (SFP-fibre ports) Distribution switch stacks with MS425 switch stacks. Works well.

[GreenMan]

I'm sure they do - unfortunately they are no longer on sale: https://documentation.meraki.com/General_Administration/Other_Topics/Meraki_End-of-Life_(EOL)_Products_and_Dates

[redsector]

😱But they are still on their hompage: https://meraki.cisco.com/products/switches/models/

[GreenMan]

Good point - I'll look to see if we can remove them (it'll be related to the original planned date for EoS - which still lies in the future; in reality inventory ran out before that)

PS. I'm not going to bite on the 'expensive' comment.

Though, if something isn't for sale, how can it be expensive? 😀

Oh - that probably counts as a bite... 🙄😂

[redsector]

expensive => this Catalyst stuff with special stacking cables and so on.

sorry that good things like MS425 are out of sale.