Network expansion core upgrade advice sought

[localzuk]

Same issue with the 5300s. There might be a 24 port gbic now, but there wasn't when I last looked. These are things that really make the 5400s more flexible as you can often just use one module instead.

So one gbic module for the 5400s = 6 for the 4200s. Perhaps the price for that one gbic isn't so steep!

Exactly! Also, if you don't mind going slightly OT, when did you last look for the 24 gbic module?

[DMcCoy]

Around 2 years ago when I first got a 5308, its since been replaced due to plans I wasn't informed of, it will go back into service as an edge switch in a refurbished block though. Not that the 5400 existed then anyway, and the 8000s really are expensive :P

[ChrisH]

The 24 port GBIC module is available. But is seems its that or a mixed module. 24 is certainly overkill for us (unless I started trunking both uplinks from the 2650s but we dont have enough pairs for that!) but there doesnt seem to be a 12 port or anything like that.

[localzuk]

For fibre the choices are:

24 port SFP module (1Gbit)
20 port copper/4 port sfp (1Gbit)
4 port CX4 (10Gbit)
4 port X2 (10Gbit)

For the price, a 24 port SFP module, 5406zl chassis and redundant power supplies, it is quite good value for money. I make it around £1300, £1000 (one supplier is selling them for just over £700), and about £700 for 2 power supplies. So £3k? Plus the mini-gbic's at about £150 each. Very good value for money.