Layer 2 or Layer 3?

[kefkef]

Situation is that I've got a bit of cash, looking to refresh the whole user access layer. I've been fairly sold on buying the Cisco 2960s 10Gb switches which do a decent layer 2 bit of switching whilst allowing the guys to set up 20gb ether channels (compared to current 1Gb). I've been offered the 3750V2 instead at a very nice price point, but I'm a bit hesitant as to if I should go down that route as I'm not sure layer 3 (and its maintenance costs) would give me much more that the layer 2 switches I currently get.

Wondered what your thoughts would be if you had the option. At the price they are being offered, I could refresh all 100 access switches with either 2960s or 3750v2.

 

[the_jetsetwilly]

do you need to stack the switches? 2960's need extra stack module to do it whereas 3750's come with them built in and would save ~£500 per switch

(you can do vlan static routing on the 2960's up to 15 routes i think)

sounds like a fun project

 

[bigredshark]

If you can get 3750s for reasonable money they're better switches obviously, as well as L3 they have more powerful QOS than the lower end units....seems an easy choice to me...

 

[Hulkster]

If you can get 3750s for reasonable money they're better switches obviously, as well as L3 they have more powerful QOS than the lower end units....seems an easy choice to me...

I agree with this.

If the costs aren't prohibitively more, go with the 3750's

You may not need Layer 3 to the edge just now but it's nice to have should you need it later on.

And of course as mentioned you can get more granular with the QoS etc.

I also think it seems a fairly clear choice...if the price is right.

 

[GhostlyPea]

If you can get 3750s for reasonable money they're better switches obviously, as well as L3 they have more powerful QOS than the lower end units....seems an easy choice to me...

Agreed. We use 3750s stacked at the access layer and it is incredibly flexible which makes our lives easier. We get our clients to go L3 where possible too and it's usually very well received

- GP

 

[bigredshark]

Only issue I know about is that if you do use the routing features then IPv6 support in the 3750 is not spectacular unfortunately. It's forgiveable and not really relevant for what you're talking about but it is a problem (lots of our 3750s are being ditched for this reason...)