[c-nsp] Layer2 Switch Recommendations

[David J. Hughes]

On 03/06/2006, at 1:44 AM, Steve Snodgrass wrote:

>> - 72-96 ports on a single unit (unlikely), or the ability to stack the
>> switches together at 10Gbps+
>> - Redundant power supplies (both AC would be a bonus).
>
> In the Cisco world, the only non-chassis switch that meets your 
> requirements
> is the 4948-10GE, though it supports layer 3 as well.  The IPv6 
> requirement
> is irrelevant if you only care about layer 2.


But you'd need a pair of 4948's to get the port density required (and 
they don't stack so the single unit bit is out the window).  At Aussie 
List Price a pair of 4948-10GEs plus the optics to connect them will 
set you back $66k ($33k each).  On the other hand a 6504 with a Sup32, 
dual AC PSU's, and a pair of 6148-A blades would cost $56k (at list RRP 
again).  The 6500 is cheaper and still has a spare slot for whatever 
you need in the future.

The Sup32 really is quite an attractive platform for lots of situations.


David
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