New Core Switch

[arthur231283]

Our current core switch is dead/dying

 

I am looking at getting a new HP Procurve modula switch to replace it.

 

I am looking at getting the 4208vl switch, 4 J9033A modules and these mini gbics MGBLX1.

 

Is anyone currently using this switch?

Is there are good or bad points I need to look out for?

Is there anything I can look at for a comparison?

 

If there is anyone that has got one and wouldn't mind me having a look in the Bexleyheath, Dartford area that would be brilliant.

 

Thanks in advance

[K.C.Leblanc]

I've never tried using anyone elses, but HP's paper work very clearly states that you must use HP mini gbics.

 

As for HP stuff, we've got loads of it. Doesn't give very many issues, although we have had 2 POE switches die recently.

 

EDIT: Just checked, the mini gbics I'm using are J4858C

Edited August 3, 2010 by K.C.Leblanc

[teejay]

You must buy HP mini-gbics, other ones won't work. Also be careful if uou're tempted to pick the up second hand, as the older revisions of the HP ones don't work either!

What size network have you got and how many switches you going to be connecting to this? Also, are you going to be using VLANS and if so would this also act as the router?

[AngryTechnician]

I have this exact model. It's alright, but it is NOT a routing switch. It is really little more than an edge switch on steroids. If I had my way, I would replace it with something in the 5000 series. No money in the budget for that, however.

[teejay]

Rather than trying to spec this up yourself, I would strongly recommend you put together a little document of what you want to do with your core switch, size of network etc and get a few HP Procurve resellers, or even HP direct to specify exactly what you need. Get this in writing, as once I got a verbal spec off HP, ordered through a reseller and found some of the modules were wrong. As I had no documentary evidence that HP had mis-specified we had to take quite a hit on a re-stocking fee as we didn't realise until we'd opened the packaging.

[arthur231283]

Thanks for al the advice so far.

 

We don't use vlans but may do in the future.

 

We currently have 3com switches with CISCO gbic converters. We will be connecting to 12 other switches via fibre but want room to expand. I have just had a look at the HP mini-gbic 1000base-LX and they are between £300 - £500 which is alot more that the one I was looking at.

 

I did look at the 5000 series but the modules are £2,000 compared to the £700 for the 4000 series.

 

I may have to look at other options to keep the cost down but I think modula switches are the way to go.

[teejay]

Don't go off advertised price for this stuff, go to an HP Procurve main partner and they will get you education pricing, which is a lot better. Even after that, haggle ;-)

[DMcCoy]

Thanks for al the advice so far.

 

We don't use vlans but may do in the future.

 

We currently have 3com switches with CISCO gbic converters. We will be connecting to 12 other switches via fibre but want room to expand. I have just had a look at the HP mini-gbic 1000base-LX and they are between £300 - £500 which is alot more that the one I was looking at.

 

I did look at the 5000 series but the modules are £2,000 compared to the £700 for the 4000 series.

 

I may have to look at other options to keep the cost down but I think modula switches are the way to go.

 

Any specific reason for using LX rather than SX gbics?

[arthur231283]

@DMcCoy Our current Fibre converters are LX so I wanted to replace like for like

[bio]

Thanks for al the advice so far.

 

We don't use vlans but may do in the future.

 

We currently have 3com switches

 

did you take a look at the 3com 5500 SFP series ?

 

bio..

[ChrisH]

I have a 5406. The modules are expensive but They cram in a lot of ports. I didn't particularly need a 24 port GBIC module but at least I can say there is plenty room for expansion

[Tallwood_6]

Just payed just over £1700 for a 24port gigabit power other ethernet module and you can get some decent bidding pricing for those switches from HP resellers usually.

[K.C.Leblanc]

I have a 5406. The modules are expensive but They cram in a lot of ports.

 

We've got one, not using routing at the minute, but it's an excellent switch. The one thing that irks me is you have to have POE which when twinned with gigabit is fairly expensive feature. I'm sure they could make a non POE version much cheaper if they wanted.

[teejay]

did you take a look at the 3com 5500 SFP series ?

 

bio..

 

3Com have been bought out by HP, 3Com as such no longer exists. Most of their switches have been rebranded as HP, some discontinued.

[localzuk]

I think what'd help is an indication of how many edge switches you'll be connecting, amount of machines on the network etc... ie. give us a sense of scale to work with.

 

We have a 5406zl here and it works flawlessly, including routing.

 

Also, as mentioned, it may be worth your while to switch to SX gbics, as they cost a fair amount less - it may work out cheaper to buy SX Gbics, and new fibre media converters.

[mjs_mjs]

We have 14 cabinets around the school with 40ish edge switches. we have about 500 computers, and quite a few other network devices.

[localzuk]

Ok, I'd be definitely looking at the 5406zl for that number of switches and computers. Firstly because you will be producing quite a chunk of network traffic and secondly because you really want to be looking at VLANs for that size network, to reduce a good number of problems that can crop up such as broadcast storms.

 

We have about half of what you've got and have one of the above.

[gshaw]

5406zl here as well... as mentioned get a special bid price and watch the numbers tumble

 

Also check if they're doing any promotions, at the time HP did a trade-in programme where you got money back per Gigabit bought you bought so buy a switch with 24 Gb ports... trade in an old 10\100 switch and get a nice bit of cash back!

[CyberNerd]

3Com have been bought out by HP, 3Com as such no longer exists. Most of their switches have been rebranded as HP, some discontinued.

 

5500's are still available, I suspect they'll keep those? and 4500 series - probably anything with XRN stacking which HP lacks. 5500's are good option for a core, we got 4 of them !

[arthur231283]

did you take a look at the 3com 5500 SFP series ?

 

bio..

 

Hi Bio

 

I have had a look at these 2 Here and Here

 

I think these maybe more in the schools price range. I have had a search to see if I can find out what mini-gbic they support but have not found anything. Do you know if they only use 3com only or could I use anything?

 

Thanks