Dell Managed Switches?

[InlineFive]

Hey all,

I am looking to learn more about networking and hopefully I will get various Cisco certifications. But in the meantime I need to buy a new switch and I thought I may as well go Managed so I can start learning about these things.

My only question is this, how do you think that Dell Managed switches stack up to switches from Cisco? Cisco is far too expensive for my budget and Dell is cheaper.

Thanks!

I5

 

[azev]

If you want to get cisco certified, dont get dell. Get used cisco switches off ebay.
Although dell has a "somewhat similar command line" they are not the same with cisco command line. Get a use 2950 cisco switches off ebay, they should ring you around $200 - $500 depending which model you get.
Good Luck with your studies

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: azev
If you want to get cisco certified, dont get dell. Get used cisco switches off ebay.
Although dell has a "somewhat similar command line" they are not the same with cisco command line. Get a use 2950 cisco switches off ebay, they should ring you around $200 - $500 depending which model you get.
Good Luck with your studies

Ouch, that's expensive! Half of me wonders if all I pay for is a name and nothing more then I could get a lot cheaper.

In any case, can you estimate at how much it would cost to get enough Cisco equiptment to be able to study for a CCNA (and higher)?

Thanks!

 

[azev]

for ccna, (2) 2500 series router and a switch will do. Go on ebay and check for a kit setup for CCNA, there are plenty of that. For CCNP, hmmmm all depends on how much hands on, and exposure to cisco gear. If you really want to be able to do the labs, then you're going to need lots more gear than that.

 

[cmetz]

InlineFive, the Dell switches are okay, but you definitely get what you pay for.

Also, many commands and things are subtly different than Cisco, so you could learn things for certifications, but you'd learn them wrong.

The 34xx switches are definitely not as good as the 33xx switches. I'm not happy with them.

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: azev
for ccna, (2) 2500 series router and a switch will do. Go on ebay and check for a kit setup for CCNA, there are plenty of that. For CCNP, hmmmm all depends on how much hands on, and exposure to cisco gear. If you really want to be able to do the labs, then you're going to need lots more gear than that.

Thanks for the information! If I will need a lot more gear I am going to first check with my state university and see if they have any resources for this.

Originally posted by: cmetz
InlineFive, the Dell switches are okay, but you definitely get what you pay for.

Also, many commands and things are subtly different than Cisco, so you could learn things for certifications, but you'd learn them wrong.

The 34xx switches are definitely not as good as the 33xx switches. I'm not happy with them.

I understand that you get what you pay for, but I am short on a switch and there was a killer 32xx deal on eBay. Which I missed because of problems at work.

 

[skyking]

Originally posted by: cmetz
InlineFive, the Dell switches are okay, but you definitely get what you pay for.

Also, many commands and things are subtly different than Cisco, so you could learn things for certifications, but you'd learn them wrong.

The 34xx switches are definitely not as good as the 33xx switches. I'm not happy with them.

That's good to know. I have 32XX and 33XX, so far no problems.

 

[nweaver]

just picked up a 2912 cat for $90, shipping included.


Not sure if they are this way with anyone, but we still get full under warrently H/W maintainance on our old catalyst 2900's

 

[cmetz]

InlineFive et al, the Dell 32xx and earlier do NOT have a Cisco-like CLI.

You can get Cat switches that are older generation for reasonably cheap through used sources.

 

[InlineFive]

Originally posted by: cmetz
InlineFive et al, the Dell 32xx and earlier do NOT have a Cisco-like CLI.

You can get Cat switches that are older generation for reasonably cheap through used sources.

How old becomes too old to be useful for the CCNA?

 

[nweaver]

IOS hasn't changed that much...a few things, but most is still relevant.

IOS on the wireless AP's changes every couple of releases (scripting those sucks)

 

[cmetz]

InlineFive, early Catalyst switches ran "CatOS" and not IOS. Those are too old.

Other than that, you can get the basics out of any of them. Obviously, newer switches will have some features that the old ones will lack, and you won't be able to learn those. But you can get the fundamentals out of any IOS based switch.

nweaver, as far as I can tell, the software folks who own the wireless platform are not Cisco's best. For example, the way commands interdepend and interlock, so for example I can't cut and paste a block out of a saved config in order, I have to clip and reorder things the way the CLI will actually take. No other IOS device has that problem.

Too bad, too, because the feature set on the wireless devices is nice, and they can do some things very few others can, and those things justify the cost increase.

 

[Cloud Strife]

I hope you have an isolated room to put these switches in because they're very loud. I had to downgrade to an unmanaged switch because I couldn't stand the obnoxious fan noise.