I'm sticking this in Wired but it covers Wireless, Wired and Telephones...

[Oaktech]

So, I've now taken over IT in a large primary school (850 kids, 120 staff).

 

We currently have an elderly 40ap Ruckus system with a mix of AP models, A Splicecom phone system with around 30 extensions, and around 20 switches from an assortment of vendors including HP(procurve), Netgear, HP Aruba and TPLink. It's a completely flat network  despite having almost 600 devices hung off it. 

 

I have been buying Yealink phones for the last year to replace the failing and out of support IPCS phones, and the wholesaler I've been using (UX Pro) has suggested I investigate Grandstream with a view to unifying all 3 systems. I have to say that I'm very impressed, it seems incredibly feature rich and the price point is almost unbelieveable - I can do a full hardware refresh of wired, wireless and telephones for the price of wifi and wired from Unifi or just wired from any other vendor.

 

Anyone here used any of the Grandstream networking? They seem to be very big in asia and in the hospitality industry. The only things I'm really worried about is longevity and ability to access support. 

[psydii]

Those Grandstream handsets look a lot like rebadged chinese oem built on top of the alibaba cloud.  If the rebadger has done the job properly, you are not supposed to be able to realise, but sometimes there's a config mistake and the phone registers with a chinese server on boot.

We've got ours (not grandstream, but clearly the same manufacturer) locked down with geo-based firewall rules.

We used to have cisco handsets which lasted 10+ years.  These ones look and feel like longevity might be a concern, but they've actually been *more* reliable than the cisco's in their first few years. (compared to the ciscos in their first few years).

For us, support comes from the UK based VOIP provider that sold them to us,  and it hasn't been a problem. However I think the way the contract works,  they will all get swapped out at the five year mark - which potentially speaks to the longevity (or lack there of) of the device/support.

Beyond that, I couldn't say.

[StephenPink]

I wasn't aware Grandstream made networking equipment - have only come across them from the telephone side. Have always favoured Yealink over Grandstream due to quality/warranty so not sure how I'd feel about Grandstream switches/wifi... 

If you're keen for the single manufacturer, I've heard of a few places using Unifi Talk and enjoying it. I'm not sure there's much else out there better value than Unifi on the networking front - and don't forget, the lack of any ongoing costs/subscriptions is a huge factor to consider.

Cheers

[Oaktech]

Longevity is my concern mainly... 

 

Here's their Networking offerings... Networking Solutions

[6Foot3]

Just remember: buy cheap, buy twice.

 

You might as well just buy the UniFi equipment and know what you're getting.

 

Nothing wrong with Yealink phones, though.