On Mar 24, 2009, at 7:12 PM, Les Mikesell <lesmikesell at gmail.com> wrote: > Luke S Crawford wrote: >> >>> i would like to see real performance data via something like netperf >>> with client machines booted from a standardized LiveCD, then >>> peformance under their Linux Distribution and performance under >>> Windows. >> >> >> Performance data is not the most important metric, at least for me. >> >> For me, the big problem is reliability and security. My problem >> with >> used cisco is that getting access to the firmware usually costs >> more than >> the used parts I'm buying... If I'm going to use the thing as a >> router at the >> head of my network, I want to be sure that the thing can be >> secured, and >> sometimes that requires a firmware update. >> >> If someone sold support contracts (by support contracts, I mean >> firmware. >> I don't need help, I just need the firmware.) for old switches for >> less than the value of the switch, I'd buy. If someone sold >> switches with open source firmware, I'd buy. (I've bought myself an >> OpenGear console server instead of a cheaper used cyclades for >> similar >> reasons.) > > If you get a service contract on any piece of Cisco equipment, you > typically get download access to all of the firmware updates. > However, > in a lot of scenarios there are several choices, each with a different > set of bugs that you won't know about unless you open a TAC case and > tell an engineer exactly what features have to work for you. Oh God, I hate the most ugly Cisco compatibility matrix. What a horror show! It's like a big crap shoot picking a firmware image! I actually like the Dell Powerconnects. They are solid performers and offer switches of all capabilites. A 48 port Gbe layer 3 managed (web and cli) powerconnect with PoE on all 48 ports (not 24 out of the 48 like some similar Ciscos) goes for around $2000 a comparable Cisco one goes for around $3800. -Ross