Core Switch recommendations

[5ndr5]

I currently have a number of distribution switches (HP Procurve 2510G's) but I am looking for a good Core switch for my server room.

Preferably HP Procurve but would consider others, I need good throughput, cat5e (at least 16) AND fibre (at least 6).

 

Any recommendations ?

[localzuk]

What speeds do you need? Gigabit? 10GbE?

[5ndr5]

I have Gigabit from Cab to Cab, so Gigabit preferably.

[mrbios]

This might be helpful to you:

HP Networking Switch Selector - HP Networking | HP®

Edited April 17, 2014 by mrbios

[localzuk]

What's the budget for this? And does it have to be a single switch? (Reason being is that having both 6 SFP ports and 16 1000BaseT is somewhat unusual, unless you go for a chasis switch of some form, but then you're seriously in overkill territory.

 

The simplest route I can see would be a HP 5800-24G-SFP, with a 16 port 1000BaseT expansion module.

 

Switch - JC103A

Expansion - JC094A

2 x Power Supplies - JD362A

 

Total cost would be about £7500. Plus GBICs for your fibres (should be about £100 each I believe, if you don't have them already).

Edited April 17, 2014 by localzuk

[5ndr5]

Thanks for that Mrbios, handy.

[localzuk]

Although, thinking about it, getting only 1GbE now would be a little lacking in future-proofing. A 5406zl with 24 port 1GbE and 24 port SFP modules would do it, and would leave you space to add 10GbE in the future etc...

 

Chasis - J9642A

1GbE - J9307A

SFP - J8706A

PSUs x2 - J8712A

 

Price comes to around £7,000 again, but is a lot more expandable for future requirements. However, it is a much bigger unit.

[synaesthesia]

I concur with @localzuk here - we have the J9642A (HP 5406ZL+ ) with 44 POE gigabit ports, 4 SFP's and dual PSU capability (only have one in each currently, we have 2 of these). They're awesome, massively upgradeable and can be had for some cracking prices. AMC Computers in Kettering got us an untouchable price when we got ours in, may be worth a shout.

[lmgtfy]

A cheaper way to do it might be HP 5500-24G-4SFP HI Switch (JG311A) roughly £1700 which will give you 24GbE ports and 4 fibres, and then an expansion for the switch HP 5500 HI 8-port SFP Module (JG314A) roughly £500 so in total you end up with 12 fibres. You can add a redundant power supply for about £150 (JD362A) as well.

[5ndr5]

Thanks all for the info, some food for thought I think.

[SYNACK]

We have a 5412 here and it is epic... apart from when the single management controller burns out. On the plus side it is lifetime warranty and replaceable but you need to go one higher for redundant management controllers

[seawolf]

I agree on the 5206zl being a very good option for you.

 

We installed a 8206zl in December, and it was a close decision between this model and the 5406zl. The full redundancy of the 8206zl (management controller and switching fabric) is the main difference between the two switches and why we ultimately went with the more expensive model. But, if the 8206zl had been over budget for us, I would have happily settled for a 5406zl. And when I say would have "settled" for it, I mean in the way one would settle for a Boss 302 Mustang instead of a GT350 Shelby.

 

Both switches perform fabulously and are exceptionally expandable.

[SYNACK]

I agree on the 5206zl being a very good option for you.

 

We installed a 8206zl in December, and it was a close decision between this model and the 5406zl. The full redundancy of the 8206zl (management controller and switching fabric) is the main difference between the two switches and why we ultimately went with the more expensive model. But, if the 8206zl had been over budget for us, I would have happily settled for a 5406zl. And when I say would have "settled" for it, I mean in the way one would settle for a Boss 302 Mustang instead of a GT350 Shelby.

 

Both switches perform fabulously and are exceptionally expandable.

 

To follow up, our 5412 only played up the once and with next day lifetime warranty we had a new management controller the next day for free. It is insanely expandable and fast. Just pointing out that it is not entirely bulletproof. If it was a case of having the 5400 series again due to budget or another brand/switch I would probably still go the 5400.