[f-nsp] Is there much to recommend an MLX?

[Ryan Harden]

We use the Foundry MLX platform in our Layer3/MPLS only statewide
network. These boxes hold two full copies of the global BGP table as
well as several other sessions with 10-100k prefixes each. There are 10
routers total, all 'no route-only', all interconnected at 10G, and a mix
of AC/DC power.

We are very happy with the MLX platform. We intend to turn IPv6 in the
near future (a few weeks). We are using MPLS sparingly but VLL transport
is solid. BGP runs on top of MPLS and is handled nicely.

The MLX/XMR is the first Foundry "backbone class" platform that I'm
comfortable saying is an all around excellent product. Previous and
lesser products are not as happy when doing both Layer2 and Layer3. Some
are excellent Layer2 switches, some are excellent Layer3 switches, but
not both at the same time. This is sometimes due to CAM
sizing/partitioning, sometimes due to features not being supported. Some
products have features like "These two features are supported, but not
at the same time" which make them less desirable when used in a
layer2/layer3 application. The MLX/XMR has a few of these as well, but
nothing absolutely shocking. Well, maybe one or two....

We picked the MLX due to price as well as our rather large Foundry
install base here at the Urbana campus. If I had to go back and respec,
I would probably go with the XMR over the MLX due to the 2x CAM size. We
are very familiar with the Foundry platform which also influenced our
decision. Other options were explored but were either too expensive or
were way over-sized for our needs. That being said, we are a state
institution and are also bound to a RFP/Bid system that weighs cost
almost as high as technical ability of a device.

/Ryan

Dan Pinkard wrote:
> Time and time again I've gotten anecdotal recommendations that Foundry should only be used for layer 2. I would like to open that up to a wider audience with a perhaps more directed question:
> 
> What is there about the MLX platform that helps it compare to the available offerings from Juniper/Cisco/etc? Why did you end up with that gear other than just price? With the same options available, would you buy it again?
> 
> (Please avoid the flamable aspects of that conversation)
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