[c-nsp] cheap core switch for a "hacker space" (nonprofit association)

[Markus H]

Hi,

I know that this list is more for service provider discussions, but I feel
like this is still the most suited place to ask.

We just founded a hacker space [1] and are about to setup our home. For a
few rooms full of people making and creating things and working on nerdy
stuff you need a good networking infrastructure. So I have come to the
following requirements:

Fully managed, layer 3 and IPv6 capable switch(es) with 48 ports in total,
at least 24 of them gigabit.

The most affordable solution for me seems to be a stack of 3750s: 3750G-24T
+ 3750-24TS. Which has the added benefit that we could add another
3750G-24T to increase the number of gigabit ports later on.

I have found all chassis based solutions from Cisco to be more expensive on
the used marked, especially if you want a decent Supervisor. A Catalyst
3560G-48 would cost about the same or even slightly more than two 3750G-24
and we would have to spend all the money at once - and with the 3750Gs we
could connect servers redundantly.

I had a quick look into Juniper and HP but also clouldn't find any solution
that would beat a stack of 3750s.

So if you have any further ideas what I should look into (or maybe even
know someone who would donate (or sell at a reasonably price) suitable gear
to a recently founded german hacker space) I'd be glad to hear from you.

Thanks,
Markus

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hackerspace