Redundant network options

[mseanmiller]

We have a need for a floating static route or a Virtual Stack solution.

We are currently using a pair of wireless radios, for redundancy, to service a large site with no local LEC services.

The switches terminating the wireless radios on the dock are separated by 500' and 12 strand OM4 fiber.

A few of our objectives is to have not only redundant radios at different locations, but redundant gear where the radios are terminated. (Image attached)

This is a large port spread across several acres with a ton of camera traffic and only a pair of 1G radios servicing the site. (Looking into 10G radios in the future.) We have 12 VLANs at the site and users (VLAN 11) view these cameras(VLAN 12) and camera feeds are stored on the server VLAN 13). Most of the video traffic is contained to the site so we don't want to trunk the VLANs over the wireless links. 

I have come up with a couple of ideas but neither seem to hit the mark.

1) Using a pair of Cisco 9500's utilizing Virtual stack-wise between the two dock side wireless endpoints. The downside is that these 9500's do not stack other than virtually so no redundant stacking at each end.

2) Using two stacked 9300's using VRRP or HSRP(If possible) but I believe the configuration, converge time(When issues occur) and troubleshooting may be more of an issue.

Any other ideas out there?

[Enes Simnica]

Hello @mseanmiller 

Given your requirements and constraints, here are some potential solutions for ensuring redundancy and high availability in your setup:

1. Cisco 9500 with Virtual StackWise

Pros:

• Scalability: Cisco 9500 Series switches are highly scalable and suitable for large sites with high traffic.
• Simplified Management: Virtual StackWise allows you to manage two physical switches as a single logical unit.

Cons:

• No Local Redundancy: Virtual StackWise does not provide local redundancy if one of the switches fails.

1. Stacked Cisco 9300 with VRRP/HSRP

Pros:

• Local Redundancy: Stacked switches offer high availability within the stack, and VRRP/HSRP provides failover capabilities between stacks.
• Cost-Effective: This might be a more cost-effective solution compared to higher-end switches.

Cons:

• Complexity: VRRP/HSRP configuration and failover times may introduce some complexity and require thorough testing.
• Stack Size: Depending on the model and configuration, stacked 9300 switches might have limited capacity compared to 9500s.

Alternative Solutions

Here are a few more ideas you could consider:

1. Dual 9500 or 9300 Switches with MLAG

MLAG (Multi-Chassis Link Aggregation Group) allows two switches to act as a single logical switch for connecting to downstream devices. This provides redundancy and load balancing.

Pros:

• High Availability: MLAG provides redundancy by allowing both switches to act as one logical unit for upstream connections.
• No Need for StackWise: You can use MLAG without needing virtual stacking.

Cons:

• Complex Configuration: Requires configuration on both switches and the downstream devices.
• Vendor-Specific: Ensure compatibility with your existing gear and vendors.

1. Use of a Pair of 9300s with LACP and HSRP/VRRP

LACP (Link Aggregation Control Protocol) can be used to aggregate links between switches, and HSRP/VRRP can provide redundancy for the VLAN gateways.

Pros:

• Redundancy and Load Balancing: LACP provides redundancy and load balancing, while HSRP/VRRP ensures gateway redundancy.
• Flexibility: Can be adjusted based on the traffic needs.

Cons:

• Complex Setup: Requires careful configuration and monitoring to ensure proper operation.

1. High-Availability Wireless Radios

Ensure that both radios can operate simultaneously and support failover in case one fails.

Pros:

• Built-In Redundancy: Provides redundancy at the wireless layer.

Cons:

• Compatibility and Configuration: Ensure that the radios and network devices are properly configured to handle failovers.

Summary

Short-Term: Using stacked Cisco 9300 switches with VRRP/HSRP and ensuring proper VLAN segregation might be a practical approach for now.

Long-Term: Consider investing in Cisco 9500 switches with MLAG or future-proofing with dual 10G wireless radios and evaluating higher-end solutions.

Each solution has its own set of trade-offs, so your choice will depend on factors such as budget, future growth plans, and the importance of minimizing downtime.

I hope you find this information useful and relevant, and that it’s not a headache to read LOL

E.S