CATALYST 2960 PLUS

[pdenableetoavit19698]

Hi! We are setting up some changes on a Cisco network. And would like to have some feedback from you on best approach. Could not get answers yet to some questions, and been told here is the best approach.

We have a hold Cisco Catalyst 2960 Plus with 48 ports and 15 AP AP1832I-E-K9C, I understand running mobility express and using one of the AP as AP controller.

Now we are considering replacing the switch since it is old and out of support. Our requirements are for fast internet, we will have internet connection with approx 300mb download speed. Need an l2-l3 switch, with 48 ports and Poe+ or Poe++ with min 500W.
We have normally approx 50 users on the system that can go up to 100. Mainly laptops, phones, iPads, apple tvs, entertainment system from Crestron, NAS - so we don't need high end enterprise level options. Rather solid, reliable option and possibly with good GUI interface for simpler configuration rather than only CLI.
Which of Cisco devices would you recommend in these cases?

option 1) could be upgrading to one of the 350? or what do you recommend?
In this case can you reuse the config file from previous Switch to the new one?

option 2) we have a spare ubiquiti pro switch to use. could we use the AP1832I-E-K9C AP on the Ubiquiti switch as one of the Cisco AP is the AP controller?

1) do you have any recommendations on how best to proceed in the change of Switch and reconfiguration of the AP?

2) better to install new switch then configuring it and then worrying about the APs configuration or viceversa?

3) can you recommend any work list/checklist of all the items/task/order to go trough during a change of this type?

Thank you so much for all your help !

[balaji.bandi]

AP AP1832I-E-K9C - end of life - so look for any models or you know the security risk you can use this as ME

If you looking to move from Cat 2960 to Small Business switch CAB/SG 350 - they are also going to end of life soon.

i would suggest looking for Cat 9K switches for a Long run. also, consider moving to Cat 9K AP for Long term support.

[pdenableetoavit19698]

Thank you so much for answer. We plan to use this setup for 1 more year before we do a total overhaul of all the place. So changing the Switch just as is not a giga switch but keeping the APs. Thanks for the Cat9k option for the later.

Is it normally better to start with reconfiguring all the new/replacing switch and then adding the AP/AP configurations, or better to configure the APs first then the Switch?

Do you have any suggestions on order of steps to undertake with adding a new switch/reconfigure and add then APs then? thanks so much again!

[balaji.bandi]

i will start with switch and then AP

[pdenableetoavit19698]

perfect thank you!

the switch is connected to firewall via normal cat cable/rj45 ports. it is not making use of the SFP port available on the Firewall and the switch. Shouldn't it be connected via those ports to allow for a better overall throughout-put considering that all the traffic goes through that, and the catalyst is only 10/100mb ports?

If so, can you just use them link via a sfp cable or does it need some configuration as well?

Thank you!

[balaji.bandi]

not major config need, when you move the ports to SFP ports, same config you used in Etherent port can be used on SFP ports, not big change required.

[pdenableetoavit19698]

thank you. but you still need to configure the ports, it does not recognise it automatically?

[pdenableetoavit19698]

to keep it simple as possible, on the switch we have all the IT stuff (nas,laptops,mobiles,printers etc) and the AV entertainment stuff, with a lot of devices for streaming amplification etc. and a lot of paramaters to reconfigure that we may not have or not immediately. will it be sensible to have a new switch installed just for the IT part, and keeping all the AV on the 2960 catalyst (don't need much speed anyway there etc) and could upgrade progressively as see fit.

In this case :

- possible to have ubiquti switch or other brand side by side to the Cisco as explained above or better for both to be cisco?

- how better to connect the swtiches to the internet. each one connected directly to the firewall or firewall to the new one and then to the old cisco? thank you and sorry if some of the questions seem pretty obvious for most

[balaji.bandi]

- how better to connect the swtiches to the internet. each one connected directly to the firewall or firewall to the new one and then to the old cisco? thank you and sorry if some of the questions seem pretty obvious for most

Not sure we understand thing, how better in sense of what ?

take visio or small paper draw network diagram what you looking to do ?

[pdenableetoavit19698]

sorry, what you think is the best for system speed and reliability to have the two switches connected. independently to the firewall or in a serial connection. thanks

[balaji.bandi]

i do not have idea how your network connected to suggest or advise how you can do it later or industry best practice.

[pdenableetoavit19698]

Hi @balaji.bandi , back on the project. Here is un updated draft map of current setup, does this helps?

[pdenableetoavit19698]

hi there, generally as we are changing the DHCP controller/firewall as well, is it normally better to first change the DHCP controller/firewall etc and the the switch/APs etc or viceversa?

Also all the Vlan setup etc better to configure it at the DHCP/firewall level or at leave it at the switch level?

thank you!

[balaji.bandi]

i have addressed your other post - suggest to follow one

[pdenableetoavit19698]

Hi all, does the Catalyst

1) can be accessed via a web GUI as well or only via CLI? even just for basic info? extracting the configuration file or see basic configuration?

2) I understand it is a L2 switch, so no VLAN etc configured on it or some sort of functionalities available there too? if so how to see VLAN configurations/subnets etc?

Thanks!