[c-nsp] Is the Nexus 3064PQ usable ?

[Antoine Monnier]

Potentially missing features on the Nexus compared to the Catalyst is also
one of the argument Cisco is pushing.
Specifically on the layer 2 protection features, if you already implement
mac-learning limit, DHCP snooping, ARP inspection and IP source guard at
the access-layer, then you dont really have a need for them at the
distribution-layer, right?
Same thing for 802.1X.

Regarding the low 10Gig/40Gig port-density of the Catalyst 6800, we have
made the same remark to our sales rep, and also asked about futur
development on the SUP and card front, but we have heard nothing back for
now. The SUP2T feels pretty old already when you compare it to the Nexus
line.


I am also curious about the buffers. I would not expect the ones on the
Catalyst to be any better than on a 5600. Is that not the case?

thanks everyone for the feedback!

On Thu, Jun 12, 2014 at 7:13 PM, Dan Brisson <dbrisson at uvm.edu> wrote:

> We had this same question about 3 years back and I'm not sure that
> anything has changed, but take this for what it's worth.  The Nexus 5k line
> uses cut-through switching where your traditional catalyst line switches
> are store and forward.  Here's a good link on this topic:
>
> http://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/products/collateral/switches/
> nexus-5020-switch/white_paper_c11-465436.html
>
> Also, the Nexus line may not have features that you want in a campus, such
> as layer 2 protections like dhcp snooping, DAI, etc...  That said, just
> make sure you know what features you need, including IPv6 features, which
> without verifying, I'm guessing are more plentiful in the Catalyst line.
>
> Hope that helps.
>
> -dan
>
> Dan Brisson
> Network Engineer
> University of Vermont
> (Ph) 802.656.8111
> dbrisson at uvm.edu
>
>
> On 6/12/2014 7:59 AM, Antoine Monnier wrote:
>
>> Thanks Michele for sharing the feedback you received on this.
>>
>>
>> Our cisco sales rep is telling us that he has never heard of Nexus used as
>> a campus distribution-layer and is trying to convince us that that
>> Catalyst
>> 6807 is the right choice (instead of Nexus 56128P), even though we would
>> get less 10Gig port-density, 1:2 oversubscription, 5x more RU used, at
>> least twice the power consumption, etc... and all of this for twice the
>> price!
>>
>> Are there other people out there using Nexus (3x00 ? 5x00? 6x00 7x00?) at
>> the distribution-layer of medium-sized campus?
>> Medium-sized being about 60 access-layer closets with dual 10 Gig uplink
>> each and a small server-farm.
>>
>>
>> On the downside I hear that the "orphan port" scenario with vPC may be a
>> pain in the back side? I still need to read the details of this.
>> Is anyone running vPC at the distribution-layer of a campus environment?
>>
>>
>> Thanks
>>
>> On Mon, Apr 28, 2014 at 12:43 PM, Michele Bergonzoni <bergonz at labs.it>
>> wrote:
>>
>> Does anybody have success/horror stories about the [Nexus] 3064 or 3048 to
>>>
>>>> share? If you email me in private, I can post an anonimized summary.
>>>>
>>>> I received two very helpful replies.
>>>
>>> One person told me about some new 3172PQ: "I am loving them to death".
>>> This person is using them as L2, with vPC.
>>>
>>> One person is using the 3064X with OSPF, BGP VRRP and is happy with it.
>>> This is very similar to what I am trying to do.
>>>
>>> I still feel a bit uneasy, but I think we will end up trusting the
>>> datasheet.
>>>
>>> Cheers to all,
>>>
>>>                                  Bergonz
>>>
>>> --
>>> Ing. Michele Bergonzoni - Laboratori Guglielmo Marconi S.p.a.
>>> Phone:+39-051-6781926 e-mail: bergonz at labs.it
>>> alt.advanced.networks.design.configure.operate
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> cisco-nsp mailing list  cisco-nsp at puck.nether.net
>>> https://puck.nether.net/mailman/listinfo/cisco-nsp
>>> archive at http://puck.nether.net/pipermail/cisco-nsp/
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>> cisco-nsp mailing list  cisco-nsp at puck.nether.net
>> https://puck.nether.net/mailman/listinfo/cisco-nsp
>> archive at http://puck.nether.net/pipermail/cisco-nsp/
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> cisco-nsp mailing list  cisco-nsp at puck.nether.net
> https://puck.nether.net/mailman/listinfo/cisco-nsp
> archive at http://puck.nether.net/pipermail/cisco-nsp/
>