[nsp] Catalyst 3550-12T

[sthaug at nethelp.no]

> Depending on your specific port needs, the 3750-24TS might be a better 
> model for you.  More ports, faster CPU, and cheaper.  The 3750 line is 
> Cisco's new flagship line with the 3550 being older (and hence earlier to 
> retirement).
> 
> I've had good luck with 3750s.

... but the 3750 cannot do 802.1q tunneling ("QinQ"), while the 3550 can.
In some circumstances, that is a showstopper.

Steinar Haug, Nethelp consulting, sthaug at nethelp.no

> 
> On Mon, 10 May 2004 sthaug at nethelp.no wrote:
> 
> > > I'm considering the purchase of a Cisco 3550-12T for a medium sized PoP.
> > > Could someone lend a review of the 3550 series switches with regards to
> > > reliability, ease of use, etc.
> > 
> > We have no direct experience with the 3550-12T model, but have lots of
> > experience with 3550-12G and 3550-24.
> > 
> > In general the 3550 series have worked well for us. They have some
> > limitations, which may or may not be relevant for you:
> > 
> > - Limited size of the MAC address table.
> > - Limited number of simultaneous VLANs (1024).
> > - For L3: Limited number of SVIs, limited size of the routing table.
> > 
> > (It was a great disappointment to us that the 3750 Metro, which is more
> > related to the 3550 than to the rest ofthe 3750 series, didn't improve on
> > the size of the MAC address table or the number of simultaneous VLANs.)
> > 
> > Ease of use: If you're familiar with IOS, you'll find the 3550s mostly
> > like any other Cisco router, and pretty easy to use.
> > 
> > Reliability: We've had few 3550-24 DC switches which have been DOA. Not
> > relevant for you, since there is no DC model of the 3550-12T. Aside from
> > that, no significant problems.
> > 
> > Steinar Haug, Nethelp consulting, sthaug at nethelp.no
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>