[c-nsp] Brocade VS Cisco

[Michael Balasko]

We have two of the Brocade TurboIron 24's as a test and they have been rock solid. If you are looking for another vendor to look at I would take a hard look at Arista Networks. They are an awesome,responsive company that builds killer gear.  My understanding is they took most of the Cat 4K team so it's very Cisco-ish. 

As far is the Cisco tax goes? TAC, features and money spent on custom ASIC's- 

Good read here- 

http://etherealmind.com/analysis-merchant-custom-silicon/


Michael Balasko
CCSP,CCNP,MCSE,SCP
Network Specialist II
City of Henderson
240 Water St. 
Henderson, Nv 89015
P:702-267-4337
C:702-373-2730

"Chuck Norris has only one OSI layer - Physical"


-----Original Message-----
From: cisco-nsp-bounces at puck.nether.net [mailto:cisco-nsp-bounces at puck.nether.net] On Behalf Of Mike Bushard
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2011 8:21 AM
To: cisco-nsp at puck.nether.net
Subject: Re: [c-nsp] Brocade VS Cisco

Brad,

I have run a Foundry/Brocade L3 network (FES2402-Prem and FESX424-Prem) for 6 years and a MPLS network for the past 3 (XMR4000 and CES2000).

I had some issues with a FES12GCF-Prem rebooting every 48 hours on the dot, took about a week to resolve it, but they took care of me very well.

Other than that not really a hiccup.

If you don't need the every feature you could ever want(Cisco), then the Foundry product is great IMHO. I run a 7609-S network too, I like them both. Your checkbook might like Brocade better...

Foundry is like a Mack truck, no navigation system, not heated seats, etc.
but it will run forever and not complain. Cisco and Juniper are like Cadillac's, everything you could ever want for features, but it comes at a price.

I suggest demoing them, draw your own conclusions.



Mike Bushard, Jr
Network Engineer
Arvig Communication Systems
diversicom-Melrose Telephone-Wisper Wireless


-----Original Message-----
From: cisco-nsp-bounces at puck.nether.net
[mailto:cisco-nsp-bounces at puck.nether.net] On Behalf Of Bradley Williamson
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2011 8:43 AM
To: cisco-nsp at puck.nether.net
Subject: [c-nsp] Brocade VS Cisco

Does anyone have any horror stories or gotcha's  concerning Brocade? What about success stories?

We are looking at Brocade, Cisco, and Juniper for a couple of upcoming projects and I am familiar with both Cisco and Juniper, but not so much with Brocade. We have a few of their small switches in our network, but that's about the extent of my experience.

We want to build an MPLS core capable of delivering triple-play services and as part of that, we will be building our a MetroE network to provide ethernet backhaul for mobile providers and also deliver L2VPN and L3VPN services to our business customers.

I am a little skeptical of Brocade. I just do not understand how they can provide the performance they claim at half the price of the other guys.

Any insight/advice would be appreciated.

Brad

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