> Idea being that the dumb switches are used solely for local data > transfer between up to X number of App servers and storage nodes. The > managed switch then handles only external communications as well as > any firewalling. Oh you have dumb switches in the mix? Not going to work as Gordon has said. > > Would connect bond0 to both switches still work without STP in this > kind of a setup, or is this when STP comes in? Or is there a better > network topology, given that I don't have the budget for awsome HP > ProCurves ;) Reusing existing router/switch (DLink DFL-800) and dumb > Gb switches. You don't need HP ProCurves...unless you need good jumboframe support. You will need at least D-Link 3100 switches for what you want.