[c-nsp] Cisco and Extreme

[sthaug at nethelp.no]

> We are currently looking to deploy a number of metro rings (mostly
> layer 2) with a requirement for basic QOS and rate limiting in 1Mbps
> increments. The ME3400 looks ideal if only it had decent granularity
> for policing / shaping.

We have looked at the ME3400 for a similar role. Our biggest concerns
have been the rather limited MAC table size (8K entries), no 24xSFP
model, and somewhat unpalatable licensing (QinQ requires an extra
license, using more than 4 NNI ports requires yet another license).

> The Metro 3750 and 4900's (for dual 10Gbps
> uplinks) look more capable but at a significant increse in
> $$/port. This is leading us towards Extreme switches and linking
> EAPS rings back to our existing Cisco 7600's.
> 
> Does anyone have any experience with a similar setup and can comment
> on compatability between Cisco and Extreme?

We have quite a few metro rings built on Extreme switches and EAPS. These
are uplinked either directly to MPLS routers or to other switches, often
Cisco. No specific Cisco/Extreme problems, it basically just works. Note
that we do *not* depend on any kind of spanning tree interoperability.

> Looking back over the lists there are many horror stories when
> venturing to layer 3 on Extreme a few years back but nothing since
> around 2006. Has any one had any success running OSPF on the
> currenty X250e / X450 ranges or has everyone been avoiding them
> lately?

I'd still stay away from L3 on the Extreme boxes...

Steinar Haug, Nethelp consulting, sthaug at nethelp.no