As it will soon be time to expand my empire, I need to start my switch research now. I have searched the forums and web, and still have a few key points I would like to find answers to before I go ahead and purchase a switch.

I have found Cisco / Dell / HP highly recommended, and am looking into the Cisco 24xx line of switches. I have determined that I want SNMP managed switch (So I can monitor bandwidth on a per-port basis). I also understand I should look for the "enterprise" edition switches, though I admit I am not sure exactly why.

My network:
-Single Cat5 drop from ISP, to switch, to my rack of servers. Quite simple. I do not need a switch with gigabit uplinks or anything, I am on a 100megs/sec ethernet with my provider. I imagine that should unnecessarily inflate my expenses :)

My questions:
1) What is the difference between the 19xx, 2924, 2950, and anything newer? The # of models is MIND BOGGLING.

2) Can any of those switches limit bandwidth on a per-port basis (ie cap port #4 at 512k/sec? )

3) I realize MRTG can be used for bandwidth monitoring with this switch. What do you guys use to measure:

-95th percentile
-Total transferred (in+out)

I was looking at the 95th.pl patch for MRTG, but would it not be easier to use something else? Just wondering, as I would like to track my server's usages more closely than I am currently able to do.

Just looking for recommendations based on my needs. Thanks!

Dan

i got a cisco 2950

it can limit bandwidth on a per port basis, it has tons of config options, its very good for hosting.

I got a 2924 and 1912 both with fiber optics :) I like me. As for the enterprise, there are two advantages, more or less. One is that there are more config options, you have more stuff to do, what exactly? I do not know off the top of my head and have too much of a hangover to look it up. Also the other reason dosent really relate to you, but for learning the enterprise is 10000 times better because without enterprise all you get is menu based.

On a side note, the 19 and 29 come with a web based monitoring capibilites. :)

Can they both cap bandwidth to a given port?

Thing is...

Comparing the enterprise 19xx and the enterprise 2950 for example.. HUGE difference in price.. What do I get with the 2950 that is of any use to me over the 19xx series?

thanks :)

we have 19s, 2924s and just got some 2950s. all seem to work very similarly. i cant recall if the 19s limit bandwidth but i know both of our 1900 series (plus they have less ports). i would say go with the 2950s just because they are newer and fairly inexpensive and have everything you need. snmp, port management, and it works well with mrtg. good luck in your search

2950s rock :stickout:
Just got one last month very nice, port limiting works nicely too.

This is quite helpful guys.

Now I just have to check out Cisco's docs page to try and decide between the 2924 and 2950.

It will really just come down to feature set. If the 2924 can rate limit, I am sold. Otherwise, the 2950 I think...