Overview
The network switch is the most coarse network expedient implemented with company infrastructure and as such the option of any new switches or upgrading is a key part of most network compose projects. The Cisco network switch components comprise Switch Chassis, Supervisor Engine, Switching Modules, Ios/CatOs software and Power Supplies. The decision to buy new switches or upgrade equipment will be decided after considering the network appraisal and compose features specified. Wireless designs, as an example, will have network switches interfacing with entrance points. That will have an sway on the switch such as increased utilization, assigned switch ports, entrance operate lists, Trunking, Spanning Tree Protocol and increased wattage draw from Power over Ethernet (PoE).
Switch Chassis Features
The Switch Chassis features comprise - chassis dimensions, number of slots, processor slot assignments, switching fabric, engines types supported, power supplies, rack units needed.
Cisco Supervisor machine (Se) Features
Cisco switches are implemented with an machine (Switch Processor) for processing packets on a network segment. Routing is closed with an on-board Multi Layer Switch feature Card (Msfc) or Route Processor running Ios code. The switch machine running Ios code on the Msfc and the switch processor is in native mode, while those running CatOs on the processor are in hybrid mode. Some engines won't maintain native and hybrid mode. The machine with no Msfc supports what is called CatOs mode. settle on the machine that matches your compose specifications. The Msfc module is integrated with the machine or upgradeable. You must implement a Pfc module with any Msfc. Some Engines have no Msfc module - the routing is integrated with the hardware and as such maintain native mode only.
The Cisco Supervisor machine features comprise - supported chassis, uplink speed, processor memory, native Ios, CatOs, Pfc, Msfc, slot assignment, failover.
These are some of the beloved Cisco engines and their switching features.
720 - Cisco 6500 switches, 400 mpps, Msfc3, Ios, CatOs
32 - Cisco 6500 switches, 15 mpps, Msfc2A, Ios, CatOs
V - Cisco 4500 switches, 72 mpps, Integrated Routing, Ios
Iv - Cisco 4500 switches, 48 mpps, Integrated Routing, Ios
Switching Module Features
The Switching Module features comprise - supported switch chassis, interface speed, number of ports, media, cabling, connectors, throughput (mpps), supervisor engines supported, protocol features, power over ethernet (Cisco prestandard or 802.3af).
- Media: Copper, Fiber
- Cabling: Utp Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6, Stp, Mmf, Smf
- Connectors: Rj45, Rj21, Sc, Lc
- Transceivers: Gbic, Sfp
Power furnish Features
The Power furnish features comprise - supported chassis, wattage ratings, failover, input/output amps, power cord type, Ios, CatOs.
Ios/CatOs Software
Cisco network switches can be deployed with Ios, Ios and CatOs or exclusive CatOs software. compose features will conclude what mode and Ios or CatOs version is selected. The software running on the Route Processor must be Ios while the machine Switch Processor will run Ios (native mode) or CatOs (hybrid mode). Some Cisco equipment such as the 4507R deploy the Supervisor machine Iv with no Msfc onboard. The Route Processor is integrated with the engine. With that design, the machine Iv doesn't maintain CatOs.
Native Ios - deployed at the network edge where most routing occurs and some switching is needed
Hybrid - deployed at the network core where there is both routing and high speed switching
CatOs - deployed at the network entrance layer where there is switching and no routing
Switch option Process:
The following describes the 5 components of any network switch option process:
1. Consider the network appraisal and compose features specified
2. settle on switches that comprise all the compose features
3. settle on switches with permissible scalability
4. Balance cost and equipment features while meeting funds guidelines
5. settle on Ios and/or CatOs software version
The Network appraisal and compose specifications should be thought about before selecting any network switches. The network appraisal examines the design, configuration and equipment that is implemented at the office where the prime devices will be deployed. The compose specifications will conclude performance, availability and scalability features needed. selecting the Ios and/or CatOs version occur after deciding on the feature set. Clubs will specify a funds and that is a key notice with any equipment selection. It isn't cost efficient to settle on a Cisco 6509 switch for an office with 50 employees. It is foremost that you settle on equipment that meet the compose specifications, has the scalability features needed while meeting funds guidelines.
Some typical switch features to consider:
1) Are there enough Chassis slots?
2) What Supervisor Engines are supported?
3) Does the machine maintain failover?
4) Is Multi Layer Switching available?
5) What Switching Modules are available?
6) What Uplinks are available?
7) What Power furnish wattage is available?
8) How many Rack Units are needed?
Switch option Example:
The Network appraisal discovered the following at the company office.
· The Distribution Office has 300 employees
· Fast Ethernet (100BaseT) is implemented at the Desktop
· 6509 Cisco Switches with Gigabit Ethernet Trunking
· 3800 Cisco Router with dual T1 Circuits
· Power over Ethernet is implemented
· manifold Vlans defined
· Local Unix and Windows Servers
· Some bandwidth intensive applications
· Ip Telephony is implemented at all offices
· Wiring closets are 500 feet apart
· any Rack Units are available in the Rack Cabinet
The compose specifies that an added 180 people will be employed soon. The company will have those employees working from a third floor where the nearest wiring closet is 500 feet from the Cisco 6509. The company will implement some Wireless, Ip Telephony and define Vlans with each exact company department.
The following is a list of exact switching features needed:
1. 4 Chassis slots with Switching Modules of 48 Port - 10/100BaseT
2. Gigabit Ethernet Trunking in the middle of wiring closets
3. Supervisor Engines with failover
4. Multi Layer Switching
5. Power over Ethernet support
6. Dual Power Supplies with at least 2800W for Ip Phones
7. Capability of assistance for Ip Telephony
8. Performance switching for converged telephony network
Selected Switch: Cisco 4507R
The Cisco 4507R switch has 7 slots and is a good option with the added 180 employees. The expedient will have 4 - 48 port modules with a slot available for any added employees. The dual Engines Iv will be assigned 2 slots with failover, Multi Layer Switching in the middle of Vlans and Gigabit Ethernet uplinks connecting the 6509 devices. Each of the switching modules are PoE capable with the new 802.3af standard. Dual power supplies furnish enough wattage for implementing hundreds of Cisco Ip Phones and Wireless entrance Points. The machine Performance is 75 mpps with wire speed switching. The Cisco 4507R is more cost efficient than the nearest Cisco 6509 device. any machine models are available with added Performance features.
- 7 slot chassis with 2 Supervisor Engines and 4 Switching Modules with 48 Port - 10/100BaseT
- machine Iv with integrated Multi Layer Switching, failover, dual Gigabit uplinks
- Power over Ethernet (PoE) maintain with 802.3af standard
- Dual Power Supplies with 2800W or 4200W for Telephony, Wireless, Power over Ethernet
- Capability of assistance features for voice traffic
- Fast Performance with 75 mpps wire speed switching for converged networking
The 3750 series Cisco switch wasn't as high-priced any way there were not enough slots, stacking technology is high-priced and switches at 38.7 mpps compared with the 4507R expedient at 75 mpps. The company would have to buy 5 cut off switches with 48 ports for 180 employees. The Cisco 2950 switch doesn't have power furnish failover and scalability. The 6509 switch was much more expensive, had 2 added slots, more Performance than was needed and the switching modules were expensive. Implementation is somewhat difficult with the 6500 Cisco devices.
Network Switch selection - How to make your mind up a Network Switch
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