Dell Force 10 and Powerconnect Switches

[wesleyw]

Does anyone have any experience of these at all?

 

Wes

[robknowles]

Hello,

 

Yes, for the PowerConnect at least. I have 2 x 6248 running our iSCSI SAN Switches. I also have a 8024F Core, linked via trunked 10Gbits/s links to 2 x 7024F and 2 x 7048 switches, that connect our servers and edge switches. Have got a few 5548 switches as well. Seem pretty good switches (apparently Brocade rebadged). Work fine, relatively cheap and regular firmware updates for new features/bug fixes. Did use to be a big fan of HP, but compared to the Dell they are more expensive now.

 

Regarding the Force10 switches, I did look at these as the core, however, the cost was pretty big and I didn't need the connectivity/speed offered at the time, but in the future when I put 10Gbits/s links to every edge switch then this is something I may look at.

 

Thanks,

 

Rob

[wesleyw]

Been looking at the 5548s as replacements to my existing Extreme x450s the 5548s aren't quite as fast but that isn't really necessary they provide more than enough bandwidth and they cost less than second hand extreme kit so I'm very interested. As for the Force10 I'm looking into the 4810 (I think thats the model) for my 10gb fibre connectivity and 5548s for everything else, could prove to be a worthwhile investment as the kit costs less than the support for extreme.