[c-nsp] ME3400

[Dan Armstrong]

We've got hundreds of them in our network and for the most part they're OK.

-I would *die* for MPLS.

-We have run into backplane /pps limitations on the 12port Trimode (4 
uplink) model, with customers doing a lot of traffic that have caused 
problems.




Eric Van Tol wrote:
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: cisco-nsp-bounces at puck.nether.net [mailto:cisco-nsp-
>> bounces at puck.nether.net] On Behalf Of MKS
>> Sent: Thursday, October 23, 2008 11:44 AM
>> To: cisco-nsp at puck.nether.net
>> Subject: [c-nsp] ME3400
>>
>> Hi does anyone have experience with ME3400 switches. How are the
>> performing?
>> What about the stability
>>
>>     
>
> We have about two dozen of these in our network, all models except the 24FX model.  We have no complaints whatsoever about their reliability - some have been up for almost 2 years.  In the entire time we've used them, I believe we've only had two failure issues pop up that caused a reboot.  First was an issue using BiDi SFPs whereby installing two BiDi SFPs into a ME3400-2CS that operated on the same wavelength caused the switch to reboot.  The second was an IP SLA bug that's since been resolved.
>
> Our biggest complaint with these boxes is lack of future-proofing.  The lack of 10/100/1000 on the 24-port box is a letdown, as is the lack of any IPv6 support.  In addition, the QoS features appear robust in the marketing materials, but for *our purposes*, they are very lacking and highly restrictive.  Check out the output policy map guidelines:
>
> http://www.cisco.com/en/US/docs/switches/metro/me3400/software/release/12.2_46_se/configuration/guide/swqos.html#wp1468424
>
> On the plus side, they do support Multi-VRF (no MPLS), and all L3 protocols.  In addition to this, EEM, IP SLA, REP, Ethernet OAM/CFM, and TDR, which are all good features for ME equipment.
>
> If you're a startup trying to deploy very basic Metro Ethernet services, this is a good, solid box.  We've since made the decision to switch on a case-by-case basis from the ME3400s due to the aforementioned problems, but depending on your deployment plans and service capabilities, I'd recommend this switch.  The 2CS is a GREAT ethernet demarcation device, that will likely be cheaper than something like an EtherNID, depending on your discount with Cisco.
>
> -evt
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