Cisco VOIP - What switches

[pooley]

County are currently supplying schools a centrally managed VIOP service, using a range of Cisco phones (7912 etc) and using Cisco Catalyist switches and Vlans.

I now need to extend my current network so that all classrooms can have a voip phone.

My catalyst switches are full and it would cost around 2k for another cisco catalyst, Have looked at a Cisco express switch £300 ish but wondered if a managed netgear for around£100 would do the trick?

Does VOIP need Vlan support AND QOS or just Vlan ?


Thanks

[Geoff]

You really should use VLANs to separate your VoIP traffic from everything else. This in itself will provide a degree of QoS. Something that's absolutely required for VoIP to function reliably.

I'm personally not keen on mixing switches from different manufacturers when utilising VLANs. I know it's supposed to be a standard and it's supposed to work but I've had a few bad experiences when mixing kit.

[pooley]

Thanks.

Voip is currently separated via Vlans, I would love to stick with Cisco but the head is after saving money if poss, thats the only reason for mixing hardware.

[Ric_]

@pooley: Perhaps you could maybe find second user hardware... otherwise it may turn out o be a false economy.

It may be worth pointing out the cost benefits of VOIP and give your head some figures for the cost savings.

[GrumbleDook]

When you say saving money ... you mean that he wants to save on initial cost of hardware without thinking of the long term costs due to poor performance, time spent making the flippin' stuff work and money spent on dealing with staff whilst this goes on ...

Seriously though ... I wouldn't mix the kit, but would also recommend that you have a chat with Cisco UK ... they may give advice, including a good partner to buy from and give help on things like this.

[pooley]

When you say saving money ... you mean that he wants to save on initial cost of hardware without thinking of the long term costs due to poor performance, time spent making the flippin' stuff work and money spent on dealing with staff whilst this goes on ...

Thats it in a nutshell.

Will stick with the Cisco kit - easier in the long run.

[spc-rocket]

HI,

You may want to look at the Cisco Express 500 series switches, these will allow you to do qos, PoE etc and are designed for small - medium businesses who need the VOIP, PoW, wireless etc functionality.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/ps6545/index.html

They are not badly priced either. I would talk to one of the cisco resellers and ask them for the gold discount which for schools can be anything from 20%-35%. The only thing with the gold discount is that there is a lead time of 6 weeks so plan the purchase early. Basically with this they actually manufacture the product for you and hence the longer lead time.

HTH,

Ash.

[bossman]

pooley: Just because the head wants to save money so he can direct it elswhere (payrise for one of the teachers) this does not constitute a drop down in the level of service he expects. I would save myself a big headache (forgive the pun) and buy the best you can from cisco even if it costs 2k as it will save lots more money in the long run.

[Tom_ONI]

ashok is on the money as far as the Catalyst Express Switches. I have just this week put them into a school where the needed PoE VLANs etc and they fitted the bill and budget nicely.

To be completely open and honest I am the Education Account Manager for ONI. We are a Cisco reseller. I'm not here to give the big sell, just try and help and learn.

Indeed as Ashok says you ideally want a Gold reseller as they will get the most discount. As well as this you want what Cisco Call a Public Sector Partner for Schools. These are partners who have been approved to deal to schools and so get additional discount.

I'm not sure where the 6 week lead time came from. Usually it will take Cisco a few days to confirm you are eligable for discount (up to 5) then the switches can be ordered for next day.

The link Ashok gave you should give you some ideas

Cheers, Tom