Datacenter switching... HP, F10?

[James Bond]

I'm looking for some new access/distribution layer switches for our datacenter infrastructure (collapsed core).

Looking for an alternative to Cisco to save some money. How reliable are HP ProCurve switches? Also recently discovered Force10, which looks very similar to Cisco (OS wise).

Anyone have recommendations?

 

[Cable God]

Juniper EX4200.

 

[theevilsharpie]

ProCurve switches have always been rock solid for me. If you're interested in the larger switches, several of my clients have been running the ProCurve 5412zl switches for years with no hiccups.

One thing to watch out for is that HP recently acquired 3com and integrated their products into the ProCurve product line, which has made the product numbering rather confusing. In addition, while I wouldn't hesitate to recommend genuine ProCurve switches, my experiences with 3com haven't been so pleasant. If you're reviewing HP's lineup, make sure you're actually getting a real ProCurve switch.

Edit: Also, if you need features like OSPF, VRRP, or Q-in-Q, be sure to consider the cost of a premium license in your ProCurve quote.

 

[spidey07]

Strange. In all competitive bids cisco and others are all about the same price.

I'd avoid HP's acquisition of 3com (now H3C) just on principle for what 3com did back in 1999.

 

[imagoon]

If you are paying retail for Cisco, you are "doing it wrong." They will bid in most cases. I am still a bit anti procurve because I was bitten hard a few years ago. I am told that it is vastly better now however... I like Juniper JunOS gear as a side line to Cisco.