Switch – Network topology VLAN and Spanning tree

local-area-networknetworkingswitchvlan

I'm working on a network migration project as we will be moving our local office.

In the new building we have 5 floors with 50 employees in each one.
I need 5 switches with at least 72 ports that support VLAN and STP and a switch layer 3 that will be in data center, and that will interconnect servers to others switches.

I need VLANs to be capable of full GigE-communication between ports, and at least 4 fiber ports
as the link between the data center and floors is fiber.

We have an HP Procurve 5803xl switch that will be in the data center, but it's missing some GbE modules and also mini-GBIC modules for fiber Ethernet.

While looking for Ethernet switch with Gb support I came with some candidates SMC, Netgear, Nortel or may be others? Based on your experience what is the most stable of these switches? Also what would be the future topology for such network ?

Best Answer

You're question isn't super clear on what your needs are when it comes to speed of the ports. Are you running 100mbit or 1Gbit to each desktop? Either way I would stick with HP for the following reasons.

  • HP makes a great product.
  • Life time warranty (with no support contracts), I don't know of any other vendor that has this currently.
  • Keeping the network equipment single vendor makes managing the network much easier.

I've also had good luck with the Dell PowerConnect switches in cases where budget didn't allow for HP.

But I tend to avoid NetGear after a few bad experiences. I can't speak on the other brands you mention since I haven't had any first hand experience.

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