[nsp] RE: Catalyst 5000(5500) over 4000(4500)???

[Jay Young]

Gert Doering wrote:
> Hi,
> 
> On Wed, Apr 16, 2003 at 02:51:41PM -0500, Schonemann II, James R. wrote:
>>switch was designed to carry Voice, Video, & Data.  The 5509 was
>>designed to carry web pages, email. 
> 
> 
> How exactly do you design a Layer 2 device for different types of
> Layer 7 data?
> 

I think the differences in design are the types and number of input / 
output queues supported, as well as the ability to use class of service 
bits in the ethernet headers, assign quality policies, etc. It has been 
my understanding that the 5500 series switches are a little poor in 
these areas. Although we still pass lots of data through these old 
switches. And hey isn't it really cool to have a built-in ATM switch 
right in the bottom. (I wish all ethernet switches had one :)


> (I could read between your lines that the 4500 has a much faster
> backplane, and thus can support nonblocking forwarding for all the
> ports, which the 5509 can't - but if yo want to say that, please do so,
> and save us the marketingspeak)


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