3COM Network Switch Upgrade

[MYK-IT]

Hi,

 

I’m currently upgrading our remaining 3COM 10/100mb switches so that the whole school is 1Gbit to desktop. I am happy with that part.

What I would appreciate some input/advice on is over an old bit of kit at the core, a 3COM 4900SX (3C17702) with a Quad 1000Base-T Module (3C17711) installed.

 

The 3COM 4900SX is a 12 Port 1Gb Fibre Switch currently connecting 6 locations (using 2 ports aggregated per location) via fibre.

In turn the 3COM 4900SX is connected to a 3COM 5500G-EI (3CR17254-91) via 4x 1Gbit copper ports aggregated (from the 3COM’s 4900SX 3C17711 module).

 

The 3Com 5500G-EI is our core switch, doing all L3 routing, VLAN'ing etc, servers, etc.

 

I would like to upgrade the 3COM 4900SX switch and have so far come up with the following options:

 

1) Keep the 3COM 4900SX, it’s doing its job offering 6x (2Gbit aggregated links). Though the throughput speed of the switch ‘may’ be introducing bottlenecks?

2) Install 12x 1Gbit Transceivers into the 3COM 5500G-EI (4 dual personality ports on the front and 8 more available on the 3C17260 Module installed at the rear) and retire the 3COM 4900SX.

3) Invest in a HP 4800-24G-SFP (JD009A) Switch with 12x 1Gbit transceivers. This would offer scope for further expansion in the future etc.

 

Thanks,

Edited December 12, 2011 by MYK-IT

[snoerre]

Well, I have the HP E4800 (==3Com 4800G) series running now for ~2 years in my network. And yes, I can recommend it. It has its disadvantages, but for the money you won´t find any better. Plus, if you buy the E4800-24G-SFP (JD009A) you can add a second power supply (JD362A). Btw, if you have some some 1Gbit/s SFP transceivers left from other manufacturers, you can put them into the 4800. It doesn´t matter if it´s from e.g. Cisco, Netgear, Brocade, Linksys,...

[CyberNerd]

We've got pretty much similar switches.

Our 3COM 4900SX moved to the near edge, and is working fine. The Comware version is significantly different that on the 5500G-EI's or the 4800-G's (the 4800;s have the newer firmware and replace the 5500's). If your happy using different operating systems then I'd go for a new 4800. and move the others nearer to the edge. You will need as many decent switches as you can if you want faster desktop speeds.