Need to replace switch at work, help!

[slackerinabox]

We have a 3com 4200 (regular version, link is for the g) switch and it's been acting flaky lately so needs a replacement. I'm more of a web guy and don't know much about network gear, but the decisions for me to make (woo), any suggestions? I'd like a simple drop in replacement, and I threw out a $400ish number so I'd like to stick to that, but can of course let them know if my budget was way off.

Manual for a switch similar to our current one
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/media/i3d/01/A/man-migrate/MANUAL000014149.pdf

24 ports, managed. Not sure what other specs are must have.

Thanks!

 

[Mushkins]

The only "drop in" solution you're going to have without any more information is another 3com 4200, where you back up the current config and restore it to the new device.

If it's a managed switch, there could be all sorts of config on it that needs to be replicated to the new device (vlan settings, qos for VOIP, etc). You also need to find out if it needs to be a PoE switch or if its 10/100 or 10/100/1000. A decent 10/100 non-poe can be gotten for $300-400, if you need 10/100/1000 and/or PoE you're looking in the $6-800 range.

That being said the Cisco small business line makes some pretty decent stuff. Check out the 300 series line.

 

[slackerinabox]

The only "drop in" solution you're going to have without any more information is another 3com 4200, where you back up the current config and restore it to the new device.

If it's a managed switch, there could be all sorts of config on it that needs to be replicated to the new device (vlan settings, qos for VOIP, etc). You also need to find out if it needs to be a PoE switch or if its 10/100 or 10/100/1000. A decent 10/100 non-poe can be gotten for $300-400, if you need 10/100/1000 and/or PoE you're looking in the $6-800 range.

That being said the Cisco small business line makes some pretty decent stuff. Check out the 300 series line.

Wonderful, thanks for the info. How can I tell if we're using PoE?

 

[kevnich2]

Wonderful, thanks for the info. How can I tell if we're using PoE?

Does your office use VOIP phones that connect directly to this particular switch?

 

[Red Squirrel]

At that price I would look at maybe a Dell, used. A managed Gigabit switch is going to run you close to a grand. You'll want to look at the config of the 3com and learn/understand what everything does, then learn how to do those same things on the new switch.

Chances are good that it's probably only going to be vlans, those should not be too hard. Heck you may be lucky and it's going to be a very bare config with maybe ports being on/off and that's it. Make sure you temporarily identify each cable as if there are vlans or other config it will matter what port they're in.

 

[SecurityTheatre]

Wonderful, thanks for the info. How can I tell if we're using PoE?

Look at your current config and figure out what each of the devices is doing.

If you're using VLANs... There is some configuration you will need to do.

If you have things powered off the switch (PoE) - like phones or wireless devices.

Is this your only switch? If not, ensure you don't need STP for eliminating loops, or you don't use any layer 3 routing capabilities in the device.

 

[drebo]

Used Cisco Catalyst 4948.

 

[alkemyst]

Wonderful, thanks for the info. How can I tell if we're using PoE?

log into the switch and do a DISPLAY POE INTERFACE

Some 4200's don't even support PoE so I'd verify model first.

 

[stlcardinals]

I'm more of a web guy and don't know much about network gear, but the decisions for me to make (woo), any suggestions?

If the decision is for you to make and you don't know much about network gear, make the correct decision and hire a consultant to replace the switch for you. That way the blame can be on the consultant if something goes wrong.

 

[alkemyst]

If the decision is for you to make and you don't know much about network gear, make the correct decision and hire a consultant to replace the switch for you. That way the blame can be on the consultant if something goes wrong.

Sounds like a smaller shop. The switch may not even have a non-stock config on it.

Being tasked and solving the problem goes a long way.