Comments on Network Unpleasantness Part IITypePad2007-04-07T05:38:16ZJason Powellhttps://jpowell.blogs.com/jason_powell_church_it/tag:typepad.com,2003:https://jpowell.blogs.com/jason_powell_church_it/2007/04/network_unpleas/comments/atom.xml/Jason Lomonaco commented on 'Network Unpleasantness Part II'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8345325d569e200d834f5456653ef2007-04-09T20:44:53Z2007-08-22T07:29:19ZJason LomonacoYou could use an opensource solution for routing, like Quagga or Vyatta. They just run on any old server you...<p>You could use an opensource solution for routing, like Quagga or Vyatta. They just run on any old server you have laying around.</p>
<p>If you want a full hardware-based router Adtran makes very good ones for a better price than a Cisco.</p>Scott Reichling commented on 'Network Unpleasantness Part II'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8345325d569e200d8352a85d669e22007-04-09T14:46:59Z2007-08-22T11:12:13ZScott Reichlinghttp://blogs.sagemontchurch.org/churchitWe started using HP managed switches 4 years ago, on a vendor recommendation. We have a 4104GL as our core...<p>We started using HP managed switches 4 years ago, on a vendor recommendation. We have a 4104GL as our core switch and 5 2xxx series switches connected via 3 fiber, 1 CAT 5e, and 1 Proxim Wireless Bridge. Our new EqualLogic SAN will run on two HP 2824 switches. We have had an HP 2650 switch fail on us, actually due to a lightning strike, that HP replaced a.m. the next business day. I highly recommend HP’s Procurve gear, based on my experiences, the price point, and the manageability of their gear. Also keep in mind the lifetime warranty and the no cost firmware upgrades.</p>
<p>All of our servers connect directly to the 4104 via a 24 port patch in the server rack that terminates in the MDF.<br />
</p>Dustin commented on 'Network Unpleasantness Part II'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8345325d569e200d8352a722269e22007-04-09T04:43:48Z2007-08-22T11:19:28ZDustinhttp://www.technotesblog.comWe put a managed switch in each rack. From a monitoring and traffic control standpoint it lets you limit server...<p>We put a managed switch in each rack. From a monitoring and traffic control standpoint it lets you limit server to server traffic from hitting other switches and know exactly what servers could be causing a traffic issue. We also don't use Cisco due to price except in one area. iSCSI. There is a performance difference when pushing storage traffic over a switch and Cisco's IOS knows how to handle Jumbo Frames very well. I can't say the same for Dell.</p>Clif Guy commented on 'Network Unpleasantness Part II'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8345325d569e200d834f4d95e53ef2007-04-07T23:46:07Z2007-08-22T07:11:30ZClif Guyhttp://appianway.blogspot.comWe were on 3Com until three years ago when we started buying HP to outfit our new building. At that...<p>We were on 3Com until three years ago when we started buying HP to outfit our new building. At that time a vendor proposed Cisco but it would have been more than double the cost for no real benefit. We don't have any truly high-demand applications on our network so there is absolutely no reason to pay extra for Cisco.</p>
<p>Our decision to go with HP was wise. We use a 4100 as the core in each of our two main buildings and 2600s in the IDFs. We haven't had a single failure in three years. I can recommend them without reservation. HP is a great company with quality products. </p>Jason Powell commented on 'Network Unpleasantness Part II'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8345325d569e200d834f4ba6e53ef2007-04-07T14:39:30Z2007-08-22T07:04:53ZJason Powellhttp://jpowell.blogs.comJason - I should also note that we're only talking 6 cat6 runs ... which is 2 more than we...<p>Jason - I should also note that we're only talking 6 cat6 runs ... which is 2 more than we need currently (4 physical servers).</p>Jason Powell commented on 'Network Unpleasantness Part II'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8345325d569e200d834f4bd6953ef2007-04-07T14:37:12Z2007-08-22T07:04:52ZJason Powellhttp://jpowell.blogs.comWe're not saying Cisco is bad ... in my former job I bought ALL Cisco because I could afford it...<p>We're not saying Cisco is bad ... in my former job I bought ALL Cisco because I could afford it and our consultants recommended it (that was 5-6 years ago).<br />
My budget is vastly different where I'm at now ... cost is a huge consideration. I just can't justify the cost difference to get Cisco gear ... and our volunteer is very familiar with HP gear which is also key.<br />
I'm also liking HP's lifetime warranty ... and NOT having to pay for smartnet every year.</p>
<p>Jason - we want to eliminate the need for a switch in the server rack so we're doing a couple straight cat6 runs right from the server NICs down to their future home. We eliminate a hop and it frees up a managed switch.</p>jason lee commented on 'Network Unpleasantness Part II'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8345325d569e200d834f4baa753ef2007-04-07T13:17:29Z2007-08-22T10:55:32Zjason leeJ, why no fiber between your exisitng server stack and your future location... you could tie in your office to...<p>J, why no fiber between your exisitng server stack and your future location... you could tie in your office to the stack later on with that.</p>Greg commented on 'Network Unpleasantness Part II'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8345325d569e200d8352a1c1769e22007-04-07T12:28:21Z2007-08-22T07:03:31ZGregWe use a mixture of Dell 6024s and Cisco 3750s for our layer 3 switches. They seem to work reasonably...<p>We use a mixture of Dell 6024s and Cisco 3750s for our layer 3 switches. They seem to work reasonably well. You do get some extras with Cisco - the extra price isn't just the name. You get extra buffering per switch port for example, which is good if you're streaming data at close to wire speed. We tend to use the Cisco (with a stacking cable) for our core switches, and trunk them to the 6024s for our edge switches. </p>
<p>Don't forget you can get refurb Cisco's with a support contract. I can't think of any reason you need to buy new ones. The switches will last forever.</p>hackathology commented on 'Network Unpleasantness Part II'tag:typepad.com,2003:6a00d8345325d569e200d834f4adf453ef2007-04-07T07:33:53Z2007-08-22T10:37:25Zhackathologyhttp://hackathology.blogspot.comWhy is cisco not a good choice besides the cost factor?<p>Why is cisco not a good choice besides the cost factor?</p>