[f-nsp] Foundry Recommendations.

[Jamie Dahl]

At my previous employer, we used Foundry extensively, I've experience w/ 
the Fast Iron (WG, and Chassis), the Server Iron (xl and chassis), and 
then of course the Big Irons.

It really depends on how you plan on using the hardware, layer 2, and 
layer 4-7 it's a really solid platform (i'd use FDRY for LB any day over 
alteon or cisco), but one thing that always seems to give problems is 
the interaction of L2 and L3 on the BI platforms', but in our case the 
way were using these boxes in ways they were'nt ultimately meant to be used.
..All in all I've seen Cisco's choke on lesser loads then the BIs..

As far as support goes, as long as you're upfront about what your 
support contract says, and give them the show tech up front they are 
pretty responsive and easy to work with.

I'd say almost on par w/ Cisco, (although I like Cisco's tools. site 
better)..

anyway as far as hardware capabilities go, I think going Foundry is 
pretty smart, it's a cheaper (pricewise) box, and it pushes packets 
better then the comprable cisco equipment..



Joseph Jackson wrote:

>Greetings All,
>
>	
>
>	The company that I work for is planning a network infrastructure
>upgrade within the coming months.  We are wanting to replace all out
>Cabletron devices with something from either Cisco or Foundry.  So far I
>have talked to both parties and they both have good points and bad points. 
>As of right now I am leaning towards foundry based on the price and their
>performance marks in the documentation I have seen from them.  My question
>for you all is what experience has the people of this list gotten from
>foundry?  Do they stand by their word?  Is their support helpful?  How
>stable do their products seem?  Do you have to fight with the devices to get
>them to do what you want?  Any info you all can give me will be greatly
>appreciated. 
>
>
>
>Thanks
>
>Joseph Jackson
>  
>