Network Switches

[jam3s]

Shouting vendor names works for schools as most schools have very similar infrastructure requirements. ie. core switch connecting to a load of edge switches with lots of computers on each. Not a massive amount of variation here.

What you have just described is how nearly all small to medium sized networks are built its called a collapsed core. enterprise network use the full three layer hierarchical model with access, distribution and core layers.

access layer devices provide the port count and is composed of L2 switches

distribution layer devices provide acl's, qos and route summirzation is made of routers or multilayered L3 switches

core layer provides fast access between the different distrbution layer routers. very high spec multilayer switches and routers.

the collapsed core desgin combines the distrbution and core layers in to one.

just because a network is collapsed core network does not mean that Procurve is the correct solution in every network.
schools and colleges also vary hugely in size!!! so a different solution is needed for each!

[localzuk]

What you have just described is how nearly all small to medium sized networks are built its called a collapsed core. enterprise network use the full three layer hierarchical model with access, distribution and core layers.

access layer devices provide the port count and is composed of switches

distribution layer devices provide acl's, qos and route summirzation is made of routers or multilayered switches

core layer provides fast access between the different distrbution layer routers. very high spec multilayer switches and routers.

the collapsed core desgin combines the distrbution and core layers in to one.

just because a network is collapsed core network does not mean that Procurve is the correct solution in every case.
schools and colleges also vary hugely in size you know!!! so a different solution is needed for each!

*sigh* You are missing the point! I have experience of HP. Others have experience of Netgear (well, me too)... So, we all work in a school environment (hence this being edugeek.net). So, when someone asks 'what switches do you recommend?' we reply with what we know!

Personally, I can't think of a single school which HP would not be suited for, that is my point. If you're a dinky primary with 1 switch and a dozen computers, then a 2800 series would do. If you're a 2000 capacity academy with multiple buildings, you can craft a solution built from 5400 series, 2800 series, and if needs by a core using one of their 6xxx models or the 8200 series (if your schools is *really* that big!)

So yes, the actual models needed will vary by school, but we can only recommend what we've had experience. Anyone can simply match requirements to specifications, what we give is recommendations.