Which switch at the core layer?

[Malik_zoubir]

Hello everyone, 

We are about to lunch a new branch for our corporation. This new branch will have about 100 Users and I am asked to look for switches. At the core layer I went for the 3850 12 T Stacked. But I am a little bit confused about the price and if it goes over our needs. 

So please help me with your advises. What can be a good core/distrib switch for a collapsed archi? 

Thank you 

[paul driver]

Hello

i wouldn’t really know about pricing but I would say 3850s are cheaper than a chassis like 4500 with additional line cards

As for architectural performance for 100 users it depends on what you are going to run on your network and connect this core/dis/access but personally I would say the 3850 is applicable hardware 

[Malik_zoubir]

Hi, The network will run an ERP a long with Active directory and an exchange servers A wifi network, about 6 AP and a controller.
Thx

[Dennis Mink]

at the end of the day, its always about dollars, with such a small network, i wonder if you really need a core. i mean, why dont you deploy like 2 stack of 3850's,. unless you need access switches at separate locations/floors/buildings, in which case you can spread out your switches

[balaji.bandi · Accepted solution]

Looking Long Term Plan, i would prefer to go to Cisco 9300 (it come as same price as 3850 with more enhanced features).

if not still Cat 38XX also a good option. but look for Long term support to protect your investment.

I know budget is concern here, if not As core suggest always 4500 for your requiremetn, proven technolgy all over the big network.

[Malik_zoubir]

Hi, You read my mind. Cause my supplier gave this option too. But when you say long term plan, what do you mean?
Thx

[balaji.bandi]

Cisco Long term plan as i understand they more focus on Cat 9K, and eventually 3850 go EoL.

[paul driver]

Hello

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@balaji.bandi wrote:

Cisco 9300 (it come as same price as 3850 with more enhanced features). 

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@balaji.bandi - This is something I didn’t expect that the cat 9ks are in the the same pricing even though the 3850s are near eol- hence i didn’t mention it - good to know though 

[balaji.bandi]

@paul driver  - yes they are same price as 3850, We did some BoM, and you also DNA options depends on requirement.

[Joseph W. Doherty]

For only 100 users, you might even consider just using all L2 switches.