New network switches

[tony85wild]

Hi,

 

Please can I have some recommendations on new switches.

 

We currently have 3 network cabinets in school all linked by fibre. The first cabinet has 3 HP switches but I think I can get away with 2. The second and third cab both have 1.

 

We currently have WatchGuard firewall, 22 POE security cameras, 16 POE Harmony lock down speakers, 21 POE Aerohive AP, computer suite with 30 iMacs, 104 pupil iPads across the school, 28 teaching iPads and 45 macbook laptops.

 

I would like to change out HP switches out for POE 1GB port switches (48 port).

 

Does any one have any recommendations. I want something that will last and give us good connections as we have just had a 200mpbs internet installed.

 

Thank you

[jb2201]

Aruba (HP ProCurve) 2540 series switches are a great switch if you’re budget allows it, if you’re after something a bit cheaper though I’ve heard good things about the Ubiquiti Unifi kit as long as you don’t require layer 3 features like IP routing (although their edgeswitch series does support this).

[localzuk]

I would recommend the Ubiquiti Unifi kit - we rolled about about 20-30 switches across 4 schools over the last few months. They've been spot on.

[Davit2005]

Another vote for the HP 2540, we have about 120 on site and have been faultless.

 

Or consider the Ubiquiti Edgeswitch rather than Unifi range. The edgeswitch is getting closer to unifi range in terms of network visibilty but I have reservations of Unifi due to issues I've experienced with STP. The UNMS software does enable you to centralise backups of Edge switches but Unifi will give you the option of managing the switches from one Unifi Controller Interface. I have a mixture of both HP and Edgeswitches at home.

Edited November 23, 2018 by Davit2005

[caffrey]

+1 Unifi, they have their issues but doesn't everything ? Cheap to get 10G uplinks too using them

[kidpressingbuttons]

We moved the whole school to unifi switching this summer. 22 switches across the school. all have been brilliant!

[XiJ]

Yep, I’d go edge switch over unifi for a bit more control.

Maybe consider something Mikrotik?

[Mr_Jiminy]

Yep, I’d go edge switch over unifi for a bit more control.

Maybe consider something Mikrotik?

 

Out of interest what additional control?

 

Also does anyone know if this there is still a problem with spanning tree with the Unifi switch series?

[Primus]

We've had no issues with ours with spanning tree.

[XiJ]

Out of interest what additional control?

 

Also does anyone know if this there is still a problem with spanning tree with the Unifi switch series?

 

The spanning tree was the biggest issue. But I found the unifi to have minimal options - in the GUI at least. The opposite is the case on the edge switch.

 

Been a while since I used a unifi switch though.

[tony85wild]

This has been very helpful. Thanks for the advice guys.

[Primus]

The spanning tree was the biggest issue. But I found the unifi to have minimal options - in the GUI at least. The opposite is the case on the edge switch.

 

Been a while since I used a unifi switch though.

 

What options did you find were missing?

[Mr_Jiminy]

What options did you find were missing?

 

I'm keen to find this out too, we were just about to procure x4 Unifi US-48 switches however I'm holding off until I find out what features are missing.

[geohanson]

The Edgeswitches will do Layer 3 and have a full command line interface in addition to the web management.

 

The Edgeswitches act as individual/traditional switches (each with their own web gui) whereas the UniFi switches require the UniFi controller software or Cloudkey for setup and configuration.

 

I think the UniFi line of switches are targeted more towards SMB and the Edgeswitches are targeted more at enterprise.

 

Hardware is identical as far as I understand.

[Primus]

So the Unifi switches not being layer 3 does not mean there are options missing - sure if you want a layer 3 switch they won't do the job but for our setup (which is the same at every school I've worked at/visited) we do all our layer 3 routing at the core so have no need for layer 3 at the edge.

 

They're not layer 3 switches so to expect them do layer 3 makes no sense???