[f-nsp] Foundry Recommendations.

[JP Velders]

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> Date: Fri, 4 Nov 2005 11:26:11 -0800 
> From: Joseph Jackson <jjackson at aninetworks.com>
> To: "'foundry-nsp at puck.nether.net'" <foundry-nsp at puck.nether.net>
> Subject: [f-nsp] Foundry Recommendations.

> 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.

What features are you exactly looking for, because every box has it's 
pro's and con's. And in the end I usually prefer the adagium of 
getting the "least worst box". But then again I'm usually classified 
as a more troublesome^Wvalued customer ;)

> 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.

When it comes to L2, Foundry is one of the best. If you're looking at 
having it do major routing and using the latest greatest protocols 
(IPv6 Multicast BGP and stuff) it depends on how much time and effort 
you're willing and able to put into it. As most ISP/NSP people say, if 
you want really high performance and rock-solid routing (no 
switching!) your only real choice is Juniper (your wallet will say 
otherwise though ;D).

But, what is it that you need ? ;)

> 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.

Support is generally helpful if your question or problem is for 
something they have good experience with. When you reach the more 
whizzbang features (like I'm doing with SSM IPv4 Multicast and IPv6 
Multicast BGP etc. ;D) you really need to know your own stuff, and an 
Iron Will [heard it's on their roadmap for 2007 ;D].

Technology works good, several IX'es (take the AMS-IX) swear by them, 
and a lot of large traffic pushers over in NL also use Foundry routing 
switches.

Do note that there is a large jump between their workgroup, SuperX and 
real chassis devices. The software is different (the hardware is too), 
so feature-wise you really need to do your homework, but then again, 
you wouldn't be on this list if you didn't ;D

But, if you can be a bit more specific, I can be as well in return ;D

> Thanks
> Joseph Jackson
> ANI Networks 

Kind regards,
JP Velders

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