Stackable vs. Non-stackable for Edge switches?

[Jamsan]

Hi All - We're planning a network overall right now and we have somewhat of a tight budget to work, so we're trying to shave some costs on the edge. We priced out all 3750's for our edge switches (we need PoE, so the 2960's are no go without having to get 7 switches per closet), but it's just too dang expensive. We are pricing out 3560's now instead, and it's much more feasible. Is there a big difference between the 2 models for our edge? We don't have alot of peer to peer traffic, so I'm not sure how much the stacking will actually help in terms of performance.

The setup will be 3x switches with a gig backbone (on each switch) to the core on 1 floor, and 2x switches with a gig backbone (on each switch) to the core on another floor.

Thanks!

 

[cmetz]

Jamsan, look at SMC or even (ick) Dell. If you don't need L3 capabilities and cost is an object, any 3xxx cat is overkill.

 

[Cooky]

Not sure if I agree w/ cmetz here...depending on the environment, it may still be worth getting the Catalysts.
Cisco provides better features and ease of support (if you're already a Cisco shop)

To answer OP's question, the only difference between 3560 & 3750 is the capability of stacking - everything else, such as throughput, are exactly the same.
oh, except if you prefer the slick silver front plate, then go for the 3750's

 

[cmetz]

Cooky, a Mercedes E series provides better features and ease of support (if you're already a Mercedes owner) than a Hyundai.

If your budget only supports a Hyundai, then that's true but not helpful.

I'm not saying that Cisco is bad. I am saying that if OP is budget constrained, perhaps he should buy a device that satisfies his needs instead of a device that has a lot of extras he doesnt need.

 

[Jamsan]

I appreciate the responses, but we can afford Cisco if we go the 3560 route. The 3750s bring the price up way too high (80k for gigabit, 65k for 10/100), and we're looking to spend in the high 40's, which the 3560's gets us too. So back to my original question, if we dont have a lot of peer to peer traffic on our user floors, the 3560's should be just as good as the 3750s?

Cmetz, I have looked at the Dell switches, and I'd be more comfortable going with Cisco or even HP, as Dell kinda scares me (in terms of stability and wierd stuff happening). We have all Dell switches now, and we just have a ton of inexplicable issues with the switches. I also looked at SMC's product line and did not see any 48 port PoE switches. The only switches that were PoE were 24 port L2 switches and I'd rather go 48 port for less switches to support.

Thanks.

 

[cmetz]

Jamsan, the 3560s are good switches too and an easy trade-away if you don't need stacking.

Dell's switches have gone downhil in the 34xx generation and newer. I agree that they're kinda scary from a support perspective. Usually, when people say that they're on a budget, Cisco is not the best choice. Cisco is nearly always overpriced compared to their competitors, so there's usually a big savings to be had. HP's switches aren't much better than Dell in my experience - at least with Dell you know you're getting cheap. SMC's products are the same quality but their support is more straightforward than Dell/HP. Netgear and/or D-Link might also have something in this space, they're trying to get into enterprise switches though obviously it's a tough sell for them.

If you're dead set on having 48 port PoE switches, you don't have a lot of options.

 

[drebo]

I've used the 48 port Dell switch before (extended power supply required for 48 ports 15.4W PoE) and had no trouble doing 802.1q VLANs or router on a stick. It actually worked really well.

By the way, who are you buying the switches from? It looks like they're quoting you way high for 5 switches. Even with 24x7 SMARTnet and the highest markup I put on items like this, my prices would never be that high. Sheesh.

 

[Jamsan]

Originally posted by: drebo
I've used the 48 port Dell switch before (extended power supply required for 48 ports 15.4W PoE) and had no trouble doing 802.1q VLANs or router on a stick. It actually worked really well.

By the way, who are you buying the switches from? It looks like they're quoting you way high for 5 switches. Even with 24x7 SMARTnet and the highest markup I put on items like this, my prices would never be that high. Sheesh.

That quote is for 9 total switches, 5 of which are sitting at the edge. The quote included DMZ and core switches as well. We can get the 3750Gs for about $10,000 in gigabit and $5,800 in 10/100.

 

[drebo]

Gotcha, ok. That sounds more like it. Highway robbery otherwise