Request for Advice on Cisco Switches for Small Network Setup

[AntonioG]

Hello,

I'm seeking advice for a client looking to acquire Cisco switches for their servers and edge switches networking needs.

They're looking for cost-effective options, as their network setup is relatively small and straightforward.

The specific requirements are as follows:

1. Stacking capability with two switches - to achieve HA if one device goes down.
2. VLAN support.
3. Layer 2 functionality (no need for Layer 3).
4. A total of 24 ports with a mix of 1 GB and 10 GB Base-T options.

Your guidance on suitable Cisco switch models meeting these criteria would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

[balaji.bandi]

check SMB Switches  - that is budget based :

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/buy/payment-solutions/solutions/small-business.html#~how-it-works

if you have good budge - i prefer to have Cat 9300 models.

[AntonioG]

I need 10Gbe ports.. can't see it in the SMB products...

[Leo Laohoo]

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@AntonioG wrote:
I need 10Gbe ports
switches for their servers

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Nexus

[AntonioG]

too expensive for this task

[Joseph W. Doherty]

"I need 10Gbe ports.. can't see it in the SMB products..."

The CBS350 series has several models offering 10g RJ45 and/or SFP+ ports.

I.e.:

10 Gigabit Ethernet

CBS350-8XT

CBS350-8XT-xx

●  8 x 10 Gigabit copper ports
●  2 x 10 Gigabit SFP+ (combo with 2 x 10G copper ports)
●  1 x GE management port
●  Rack-mountable
CBS350-12XS

CBS350-12XS-xx

●  12 x 10 Gigabit SFP+
●  2 x 10 Gigabit copper ports (combo with 2 x SFP+)
●  1 x GE management port
●  Rack-mountable
CBS350-12XT

CBS350-12XT-xx

●  12 x 10 Gigabit copper ports
●  2 x 10 Gigabit SFP+ (combo with 2 x 10G copper ports)
●  1 x GE management port
●  Rack-mountable
CBS350-16XTS

CBS350-16XTS-xx

●  8 x 10 Gigabit copper ports
●  8 x 10 Gigabit SFP+ (dedicated)
●  1 x GE management port
●  Rack-mountable
CBS350-24XS

CBS350-24XS-xx

●  24 x 10 Gigabit SFP+
●  4 x 10 Gigabit copper ports (combo with 4 x SFP+)
●  1 x GE management port
●  Rack-mountable
CBS350-24XT

CBS350-24XT-xx

●  24 x 10 Gigabit copper ports
●  4 x 10 Gigabit SFP+ (combo with 4 x 10G copper ports)
●  1 x GE management port
●  Rack-mountable
CBS350-24XTS

CBS350-24XTS-xx

●  12 x 10 Gigabit copper ports
●  12 x 10 Gigabit SFP+ (dedicated)
●  1 x GE management port
●  Rack-mountable
CBS350-48XT-4X

CBS350-48XT-4X-xx

●  48 x 10 Gigabit copper ports
●  4 x 10 Gigabit SFP+ (dedicated)
●  1 x GE management port
●  Rack-mountable
The 10 Gigabit Ethernet copper and SFP+ port supports 10 GE and 1 GE speeds.
Each combo port has one copper Ethernet port and one SFP or SFP+ slot, with one port active at a time.

[balaji.bandi]

have you look at the model have 10GB ports :

https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/550x-series-stackable-managed-switches/datasheet-c78-735874.html

[Joseph W. Doherty]

BTW, last sale date was 7/30/22.

[balaji.bandi]

sure Cisco end of Life for SMB switch some RV series also - some how they not offering replacement

they more pushing towards meraki or cat switches.

https://www.cisco.com/site/uk/en/products/networking/switches/index.html

[Joseph W. Doherty]

"2. VLAN support.
3. Layer 2 functionality (no need for Layer 3)."

How are you going to communicate between VLANs?  No need to?

[AntonioG]

Router, already in place

[Joseph W. Doherty]

A router or a L3 switch?  Just curious, as you often need to get into high end routers that can handle 10g, especially multiple ports, at wire-speed.

That aside, for 10g ports, something like the CBS350 series might be the least expensive option even if only being used for L2 and if so, you would have the option to also use them for 10g wire-speed L3.

Other than using CBS350s, for your requirements, "inexpensive" 10g L2, you'll may need to shop "Brand X".  (In some ways, Cisco's SMB devices are their "Brand X".)