[c-nsp] Cisco Nexus as MetroE switch?

[Marian Ďurkovič]

> Hello all,
> 
> I've been evaluating a few platforms for a smallish MetroE-style
> deployment, focused on E-Line services between a number of sites, with n x
> 10G DWDM links between sites.
> 
> What I am after is a platform that will give me a bunch (32-40 odd) 1G/10G
> capable SFP+ ports, no need for 40G/100G, and due to starting off smallish,
> probably looking more at a 1RU/2RU box rather than a chassis based solution
> (so no ASR9000 at this point).
> 
> Cisco have just pointed to their Nexus 9000 switches however, which has me
> a little surprised. From looking at their website, they really look like
> something aimed at a more Enterprise/Data Centre role, and I can't help but
> get the feeling they are trying to shoehorn any product in to suit the role
> I'm describing.
> 
> Is anybody else out there using these in such a role, or able to comment on
> the suitability of such a switch?
> 
> Also, how do people feel about using NX-OS and VXLAN vs. IOS and IP/MPLS?

Nowadays some other approaches are also available. For example you can use 1RU
TRILL switches with 48 * 10G/1G SFP+ and 6 * 40G QSFP+ ports to do exactly what
you're looking for - without the complexity of MPLS/VPLS or VXLAN+BGP and
without ugly workarounds to e.g. achieve proper load-balancing over parallel links.

We have TRILL infrastructure in production for more than one year in the Slovak
internet exchange (visit www.six.sk for details) as well as in Bratislava MAN of
SANET.

Since the experience is very good, further deployments will follow shortly.


    M.