[c-nsp] full routing table / provider-class chassis

[Jo Rhett]

I've been trying to spec Cisco for an upgrade of our Force10 backbone  
for nearly 2 months now.  I'm just trying to clarify which platform  
Cisco recommends for full routing table/hardware forwarding/provider- 
class environments.

Unfortunately every time I get through to the supposed right group, I  
mention our requirements and Cisco never follows up.  It's almost like  
they realize they have nothing on Juniper and they don't even bother.   
They are about to be eliminated from the choices for lack of having an  
answer.

Until they decide to care, is there anyone on here willing to propose  
a basic platform for provider-class environment?  By which I mean

* Full IPv4 & v6 routing table  (Cisco has 760k v4/260k v6 I know with  
SUP720/3CXL)
* ASIC-based line-rate forwarding (SUP720-3CXL and DFC-3CXL on each  
line card, right?)
* 196 ports copper 10/100/1000
* 40 ports SFP 1g  (on two line cards, not one)
* 96+ BGP peers, 8-10 full routing table peers

Unfortunately, Cisco's partners are useless.  They propose 6509s  
without the DFCs, which we know will fall over.   And as I understand  
it, the 6509 even with the 3CXL cards can't handle 5 full peers,  
nevermind 96 total peers.   Most people suggest the 7600 platform, but  
at least two comments on the mailing list indicate it isn't much better.

What are people using today for this kind of environment?  Does it work?

-- 
Jo Rhett
Net Consonance : consonant endings by net philanthropy, open source  
and other randomness