Core switch for primary school

[sparkeh]

Kinda going round in circles on this, not overly hot on switches tbh. Need to replace our core switch. Ideally it would be Layer 3 for future vlan plans and POE so I can ditch the injectors in the cab for the cctv cams. Usually I use HP switches but open to suggestions.

 

Been looking at the Aruba 2920 48G does that seem like a good fit for a primary?

[LukeC]

Id say good solid switch we have 2 of these (HP model tho) where we have a few switches coming back to this this then goes back to our core. We are a similar size to a primary but are a secondary.

[JordanT91]

I've got three of these (non-PoE models) and they are great. The modules and transceivers are expensive if you go for genuine HP parts though.

[Gaz]

Wow HP are using the Aruba purchase to rebrand their switches!

 

The HP (or Aruba) 2920 will make a perfect core switch for a primary, however do keep in mind that with the 2920 it will be 95% configuration by CLI the web gui is sparse to say the least.

The Cisco SG500 may also be worth checking out.

 

A quick price example for model comparison.

Cisco SG500 with PoE+

http://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/products/13707-cisco-smb-sg500-52p-k9-g5/

 

HP2920-48G-PoE+

HP 2920-48G-POE+ 48-Port Layer 3 Managed Stackable Gigabit PoE+ Switch w/ 4x Dual-Personality Ports & 2x Module Slots (370W) J9729A

 

Now if you want 10GB both are capable but will cost a bit more. I think the HP may be slightly more capable as it does have optional modules on the backplane and a replaceable PSU.

 

For example the 10GB (x4) cisco

Cisco SG500X-48P 48-Port Managed Stackable Gigabit PoE+ Switch w/ 4x 10 Gigabit SFP+ Ports 10GbE (370W) 500 Series

 

The HP in 10GB (x2) if you wanted 4 like the cisco its another £300

https://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/products/17447-hp-j9729a/

and

https://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/products/17743-hp-j9731a/

or

https://www.broadbandbuyer.co.uk/products/17745-hp-j9732a/

or both as there are 2 module slots plus a stacking slot.

 

Cheapness go for Cisco

Futureproof and modulation go for HP

Edited February 3, 2016 by Gaz

[njc235]

Wow HP are using the Aruba purchase to rebrand their switches!

 

The procurve range is being rebranded as Aruba whereas the Comware kit will remain HPE.

[IanT]

With the primary schools I would of normally put in 1x HP2910al, 2920al, 3500yl, on the Cisco side 1x 3750X with NM

[psydii]

I'd look at the HP1950 for primary, you could build the whole network on them. I'm struggling to see what you get in the 2920 that's you'd miss on the 1950 other than the command line. With the spare cash you could buy an IMC licence!

 

(I'm tempted to say you could/should build a secondary school network out of them too, I wonder if anyone has tested to see what happens if you try to push say 30 ports to the max through the 10gb uplink???)

 

http://h20195.www2.hp.com/v2/getpdf.aspx/4AA5-6730ENW.pdf

Edited February 4, 2016 by psydii

[Gaz]

I didn't know they existed! Looking at the specs sheet they are very good value for money. The differences I can see are a differnce in horse power e.g. the 1950 has 128MB of RAM and the 2920 has 512MB of ram and a tri-core 625MHz CPU the CPU on the 1950 is unknown but probably slower or fewer cores.

The OP will need to decide whether the extra horse power will be required from the 2920, I'm not sure a Primary will be needing the extra routing capabilities the 2920 provides but who knows? Certainly a good option and a contender.

[sparkeh]

Thanks for the replies, some things to think about.

 

We are a fairly large primary, this switch will handoff to three other buildings with about 200 devices on network so the power question is a good one.

[Blue_Cookeh]

Primary school here with heavy use of IT. I'm using a 2920-48G as our core and 2530 series for the edge. Brilliant devices