[c-nsp] CSM for service providers

[Ross Vandegrift]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking to solicit some input from others that are using the Cisco
CSM, in particular, service providers that are using it to host layer
4-7 switching for customers.  The archives don't seem to have a ton of
opinions on these guys.

In general, I like the device's performance and scalability.  I have
actually seen them handle a million simultaneous sessions, and I've
seen VIPs with 900+k sessions cause no impact to other VIPs.  

However, we're run into some issues that are a bit troublesome:

1) Fault-tolerance is a feature that was obviously tacked-on after the
fact.  Config sync is slow process that interacts badly with other IOS
features like SNMP.  We've been reduced to manually syncing all
configs because of IOS crash risk associated with config-sync.

2) The documentation is awful.  I have read pretty much everything
Cisco has published and some that hasn't been published.  There's more
undocumented features to this device than there are documented features!
Has anyone found any good resources?  I've read the configuration
guide, Designing Content Switching solutions, Content Network
Fundamentals, and some random MS Word files I've been emailed from
TAC.  They are all crappy.

3) There's a general mystery surrounding the CSM - it's incredibly
difficult to get decent answers to fairly simple questions.


In short - I basically like the CSM, but I'm questioning it's long-term
viability right now.  Any input would be greatly appreciated.


-- 
Ross Vandegrift
ross at kallisti.us

"The good Christian should beware of mathematicians, and all those who
make empty prophecies. The danger already exists that the mathematicians
have made a covenant with the devil to darken the spirit and to confine
man in the bonds of Hell."
	--St. Augustine, De Genesi ad Litteram, Book II, xviii, 37