How often do you replace switch gear?

[localzuk]

We have an interesting problem here where our switches would have been covered by a lifetime warranty, but they were bought in the name of our old managed service provider. So, although they're only 3 years old, they're all out of warranty!

We have around 20 Cisco edge switches and 2 units which make up our core (3560-48/24 models for edge, mixed with 2960-48/24s, and 3750s as the core).

So, its all good gear but a lack of warranty is worrying somewhat.

How often do others replace their switch gear? Especially if it is out of warranty?

[NikChillin]

When it dies... we have no budget so that is the only way to upgrade.

[sonofsanta]

Usually when it breaks, although I am heavily considering replacing the core switches as some of them are getting pretty old, and I don't trust 3com gear all that much at the moment.

The one in the switch cabinet next to me, on the other hand, is likely getting replaced next week once I've been able to pull it out, confirm that it isn't an angry bee trapped inside making that noise and giving me a headache, and that a new switch is the only way to maintain my sanity going forward.


Such an annoying, angry, whiny, scratchy, random, irritating, infuriating, endless sort of noise... for 7 hours... aaaaaargh... :cries:

[elsiegee40]

When it breaks. We had our first unit fail last term - 6 1/2 years after installation.

[IrritableTech]

Normally when it breaks, however after finding some cash last year we replaced the whole lot which had been in for ten years.

[localzuk]

So, even if its out of warranty, you'd wait until it breaks? Surely this is a bit of a major weakness in ensuring uptime? Most of us have rolling programmes on desktops, laptops, servers etc... but the bit which holds them all together can fail and potentially leave the network down for multiple days?

That idea doesn't seem good to me.

[IrritableTech]

me? No. I probably should have said that the majority of the gear we replaced was procurve life time warranty stuff so it was replaced FOC when it failed (and we had some spares hanging around). The only other couple of failures in the past were cheap things put in before my time that only serviced a few devices.

It's all PC lifetime warranty now, and we have boat loads of the old bits to call on if we needed to.

[glennda]

Well we have now upgraded all our switching to a stable platform across the school. HP 2610's with a mixture of 24 port and 48 port with a few poe around the place. We don't plan to replace any of these for 5/6 years or until the need for 1GB to the desktop is proven worthwhile (and the kit comes down in price). With the 2610's being lifetime warranty* the risk of failure is negligible and we keep a spare switch in the store incase so we can swap out if needs be.

The Core is an E5406Zl which is also still under warranty and i can't remember the warranty on that although i think its similar.

*limited until they stop manafacturing + a few years I think

[nephilim]

In my old place....as and when it broke. Now...I don't have to worry!

[andydis]

E5406Zl = awesome beast :-) love the procurve stuff

[NikChillin]

So, even if its out of warranty, you'd wait until it breaks? Surely this is a bit of a major weakness in ensuring uptime? Most of us have rolling programmes on desktops, laptops, servers etc... but the bit which holds them all together can fail and potentially leave the network down for multiple days?

That idea doesn't seem good to me.

We have some spare stuff about but with no budget we don't have a choice, no - it isn't good but if something breaks they have to wait. We have found that the switches tend to play up prior to falling over which has given us a window of opportunity.

You have to work with what you've got.....

[3s-gtech]

Mostly, when it breaks. I have been replacing some of our older D-Link gear with Procurve when I've had funds, but I have plenty of D-Link switches still in place and giving good service. Was tempted to replace the core as it's ancient (DES-6000) but it's such a damn fine piece of kit, I'll leave it. Have just added some Procurve stuff around it.

[pete]

Before it breaks*, when we need to bump capacity.


*there's generally warning signs in Cacti and Nagios. And we have sufficient spares to swap them out in 10 minutes.

[Paid_Peanuts]

HP Procurve infrastructure all with lifetime warranty - 40 switches from 2648 to 5406 been in 4 years and touch wood never had an issue.
Have 2 spares incase to minimise downtime. Not had to use the lifetime warranty yet.
No intention to replace any time soon.

[elsiegee40]

So, even if its out of warranty, you'd wait until it breaks? Surely this is a bit of a major weakness in ensuring uptime? Most of us have rolling programmes on desktops, laptops, servers etc... but the bit which holds them all together can fail and potentially leave the network down for multiple days?

That idea doesn't seem good to me.

In our case, it didn't cause a problem. We were able to swap another one in from a little used building and the replacement arrived next day. Impact was very small... barely noticed.