New fiber backbone and switches brainstorm with me!!!

[john]

HP Procurve is lifetime warranty on them, if there support on them is like there desktops, laptops and printers, then I would get a spare or two

[Ric_]

@wesleyw: You need to trunk the links otherwise the switches will get confused. Spanning tree will simply disable one (the one it decides is shortest/slowest) but you do get redundancy. A redundant link is another option. I've found that trunking on the procurves gives you redundancy too - I pulled out a fibre patch and the link just reverted back to a gig rather than 2.

 

@ChrisH: Due to the way I have had to move my server room, I now have 2 core switches. These are both HP 4104gl and use 2 fibre links between them (trunked). Off one of these I have 2 copper links to a 2824 (trunked) which all my servers hang off. I use the 2650 in my remote cabs. To answer your question Chris, both solutions would work admirably but IMHO the RJ45 module for the 4104 is not cost effective.

[ChrisH]

I couldnt find a bare switch and the one I came up with which I linked to had those two modules already installed. I shall search harder because I found it last time!!

 

Found it first time typical!!!!

 

Given my requirements what would you suggest Ric?

[Ric_]

@ChrisH: Qual will do you a good deal but for rough prices download the configurator from HP.

[ChrisH]

Im struggling to see the advantage of the 4104 apart from all the modules are interconnected? Pm ric

[spc-rocket]

Hi Guys,

 

Remember that you can aggregate the traffic by using two ports so say from your core switch to your distribution switches you want to have redudancy and at the same time have 2Gb uplink rather than just 1Gb configure the port to be trunk and use PAgP or Etherchannel or GigabitChannel to combine the two physical links into 1 thereby adding redudancy as well as better throughput. This will give you true 2Gb or if you want to be really flash 4Gb in a full duplex mode.

 

I think this kind of setup is required is you got many switches that hang of or cacades of the distribution switch.

 

I haven't got any experience of HP Procurves but we use Cisco switches here and it offers all the functionality of spanning tree, vlans, port trunking and aggregating ports etc.

 

The 3550 or 3560 with miniGBICs would be ideal for a distribution switch. For core Catalyst 4506 (64Gb fabric) or 6509E (up to 720Gb fabric) would be ideal.

 

HTH,

 

Ashok.

[ConTheITGuy]

Secondly. Western Business Systems in Blackpool are a good firm for fibre. They have all the testing gear and what not. Give them a ring on 01253 298111.

 

Interesting that ChrisH needs a recommendation!! lol

 

Andy.

[ChrisH]

Im not quite sure what you mean ......