On Mar 24, 2009, at 7:12 PM, Les Mikesell <lesmikesell@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Luke S Crawford wrote:
>>
>>> i would like to see real performance data via something like netperf
>>> with client machines booted from a standardized LiveCD, then
>>> peformance under their Linux Distribution and performance under
>>> Windows.
>>
>>
>> Performance data is not the most important metric, at least for me.
>>
>> For me, the big problem is reliability and security. My problem
>> with
>> used cisco is that getting access to the firmware usually costs
>> more than
>> the used parts I'm buying... If I'm going to use the thing as a
>> router at the
>> head of my network, I want to be sure that the thing can be
>> secured, and
>> sometimes that requires a firmware update.
>>
>> If someone sold support contracts (by support contracts, I mean
>> firmware.
>> I don't need help, I just need the firmware.) for old switches for
>> less than the value of the switch, I'd buy. If someone sold
>> switches with open source firmware, I'd buy. (I've bought myself an
>> OpenGear console server instead of a cheaper used cyclades for
>> similar
>> reasons.)
>
> If you get a service contract on any piece of Cisco equipment, you
> typically get download access to all of the firmware updates.
> However,
> in a lot of scenarios there are several choices, each with a different
> set of bugs that you won't know about unless you open a TAC case and
> tell an engineer exactly what features have to work for you.
Oh God, I hate the most ugly Cisco compatibility matrix. What a horror
show! It's like a big crap shoot picking a firmware image!
I actually like the Dell Powerconnects. They are solid performers and
offer switches of all capabilites.
A 48 port Gbe layer 3 managed (web and cli) powerconnect with PoE on
all 48 ports (not 24 out of the 48 like some similar Ciscos) goes for
around $2000 a comparable Cisco one goes for around $3800.
-Ross
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