Marko Mernik wrote: > We use Extrem Networks x450 switches, see > > http://www.extremenetworks.com/products/summit-x450a.aspx X450A is my favorite gigE switch as well, with ESRP you can get layer 3 redundancy with layer 2 loop prevention in a single protocol and don't need to have other switches in the network have any special software(assuming typical core-edge design). Anything from unmanaged netgear, to Cisco to F5 to 3COM to whatever can get full redundancy and loop protection without any configuration on the edge. Adding a new VLAN to be protected by ESRP can be done with a single command as well. http://apps.extremenetworks.com/libraries/whitepapers/technology/VRRPvsESRP_WP.asp Though you can't access the OS directly all of their switches released in the past several years(anything running XOS) runs on top of Linux. http://www.extremenetworks.com/products/extreme-xos.aspx X450A-48T lists for roughly $8k with a 256Gbps backplane, hardware IPv6, next-gen OS, hardware sflow(www.sflow.org), support for all major layer 2 and layer 3 protocols. The latest revs of code include ClearFLOW support in software (previously only available on the higher end switches) which is a real nice feature as well. Quite a steal, they priced it at the same price as their previous generation basic layer 3 switches Summit 400-48T. To Cisco it's roughly equivalent to the 3750 which has roughly a 40Gbps backplane and lists for about $15k. nate