Enterprise network switches

[badkuk]

Guys what do you recommend? i hear HP is offering a lifetime warranty for their network switches, but i am getting conflicting feedback -- some say that warranty is good as long as the model is not EOL yet, although i've had HP resellers saying they will replace it with newer models of approximate capacity.

[oj88]

I'm a Cisco guy. At the core, hands down Cisco. On the edge, your choice, Cisco or HPE. Wireless, again it's a toss between Cisco Meraki or HPE Aruba.

[chronicle]

If edge switches, pede hp or huawei.
Hp's cli commands is almost the same as cisco's.
While huawei tends to be a little bit different but the concept is the same.

Another option is brocade (dont know if they are still alive).

At the core, i agree with oj88. Just stay with cisco.

Haven't used juniper so i cant comment on them.

[oj88]

I work extensively with Cisco equipment (since 2002). The good thing about them is that the commands are consistent among most of their network devices running IOS... routers, layer-2, and multi-layer switches. You just have to learn one command environment.

HPE edge switches has the advantage of being cheaper than an equivalent Cisco Catalyst access switch. But mixing them together can be challenging, especially when troubleshooting network issues. It's bad enough that there will be situations when switches of the same brand might exhibit odd behaviors. This is compounded when you have a multi-vendor switch environment.... trunking to this and that, native VLANs and management VLANs getting mixed up, STP loops, MAC flapping, etc.

[chronicle]

^
All valid points, especially when you are dealing with mac flood event.

Since eveyone knows cisco, you have more chances of solving the issue by googling it. instead of pulling your hair out trying to figure out what's the equivalent command for the non cisco devices.

Although it all depends on TS network design if he needs to have a proprietary protocol supported or not.

[badkuk]

Totoo ba that HP will replace your switch pag nasira, forever? Am thinking about HP for the edge. An HP reseller told us about that. Am wracking my brain as to what the catch is -- perhaps there's some sort of subscription/MA that you need to purchase?

[chronicle]

Totoo ba that HP will replace your switch pag nasira, forever? Am thinking about HP for the edge. An HP reseller told us about that. Am wracking my brain as to what the catch is -- perhaps there's some sort of subscription/MA that you need to purchase?

No comment actually. Pero nake sure na nasa contract yang replacement. Baka kasi sales talk lang. Tipong after certain amount of years, EOL na, tapos pipilitin ka mag renew ng contract para mapalitan.

[badkuk]

Ang sabi naman ng rep, if the unit is EOL, they will replace with new model with closest matching specs. Pero baka style nyan is managed service.

Sabi ng Cisco reseller : hindi totoo yan! 😁

[chronicle]

Haha. Too good to be true.
Also, note mo din na ang replacement includes major redesign and testing.

"We will replace it with closest matching specs"- alanganin yan kasi baka may feature na mawala and pag deploy mo, don mo lang malalaman na wala pala ung kelangan mo.

[oj88]

Haha. Too good to be true.
Also, note mo din na ang replacement includes major redesign and testing.

"We will replace it with closest matching specs"- alanganin yan kasi baka may feature na mawala and pag deploy mo, don mo lang malalaman na wala pala ung kelangan mo.

The lifetime warranty is real.

No service contract required. The only catch is that you're only covered with the standard SLA, which is 30-45 days replacement TAT. If you require a higher SLA (ie. 24x7x4, 8x5xNBD, etc.), that's the time you'll need a service contract.

Only certain HPE switches have lifetime warranties, such as the 1900, 2900, 5400, and 3800 series*.

Their bigger/core switches that were originally acquired from 3Com (ie. 5700, 7000 series, etc.*) only have a standard 1-year warranty.

When a switch reaches EoL and becomes defective, for as long as you are the original owner of the equipment, HPE will replace it with an equivalent model that is of a newer or current generation. It's always going to be the newer/better closest match, not the other way around.

These are probably the only two good reasons to use HPE edge/access switches; Lifetime warranty and lower outright cost. But from a perspective of functionality and ease of management, it's always better to deploy a homogeneous environment. Cisco wins that battle by miles because even if you use all HP switches from the core to the edge, the older 3Com switches at the core uses a different CLI from the more current HP-developed switches. It can be very frustrating at times.

*Note: The list of models are just from the top of my head. I can't certify on its accuracy.

[chronicle]

Thanks for the clarification. Since lifetime warranty ang HP access switches, parts availability won't be a hassle??

-------
To TS
Also, you should consider transceiver support of your prospect switch.

[oj88]

Thanks for the clarification. Since lifetime warranty ang HP access switches, parts availability won't be a hassle??.

Unless the switch is modular, they will replace the whole unit.

[badkuk]

Di namin afford mag all-Cisco sir...we're even thinking about deploying(gasp) D-Link for the smaller offices. Will check with our network team regarding the CLI/interoperability. Thanks😀

[oj88]

Di namin afford mag all-Cisco sir...we're even thinking about deploying(gasp) D-Link for the smaller offices. Will check with our network team regarding the CLI/interoperability. Thanks😀

It's not a requirement naman. Use what you can. I'm just stating potential issues... parang Mac vs PC lang. Both can do pretty much the same thing but the manner they're done can be quite different.

In my home, I use a couple of D-Link switches (DGS-1210-20 Web Smart Switch). My wireless network is from Ubiquiti (3x UAP-AC-LR and 1x UAP-AC-Pro).

[badkuk]

Advisable ba bumili ng refurbished Cisco 3560 for my home lab? i just want to play around with configuration. A quick check reveals naka EOL na siya last year. The SG300 is cheaper and newer pero limited features din.


Me local source kaya? tia

[oj88]

Advisable ba bumili ng refurbished Cisco 3560 for my home lab? i just want to play around with configuration. A quick check reveals naka EOL na siya last year. The SG300 is cheaper and newer pero limited features din.


Me local source kaya? tia

When you say lab, is this for a Cisco lab in preparation for a Cisco cert, or just lab in general (ie. working with Windows Server and/or Linux, to develop apps or whatnot)?

For the former, yes, the 3560 is still a capable switch to practice on. It runs full IOS and depending on the feature set you've installed, can pretty much practice anything that will likely turn up in your exam. The cert exams don't usually rely on the latest and greatest hardware anyway.

The only thing to note is that the 3560 (most models) only have 10/100 ports. When working with certain features like STP, port costs and such, a port running 1000 mbps would have a lower port cost and will have an effect on root switch election, among others. So be wary of that in case it pops up in your exam.

The SG300, though also a managed switch, should not be used when studying for Cisco certs. But as a basic switch in a lab to practice the other things I mentioned, it should be ok.

[badkuk]

^ thank you for the advice sir, very much appreciated. Hindi naman for exam per se, para masanay ako uli sa IOS(cli)

[chronicle]

GNS3 or at the least packet tracer kung sanayan lang sa cli.

[badkuk]

full featured ba yung cisco vm sir?

[chronicle]

Not full featured sa packet tracer.
Sa gns3, that depends kung may ios ka