Switch Recommendation

zetec452 · 6 May 2010 at 16:37

Hi,

My old trusty 48 port dell switch died last night and I would like to replace it with something decent to fit our new network.

Currently I have 2 x Dell 5424 running the VMware, iSCSI and the server network. The Dell 5424 switches are connected to a 24 port gig linksys unit in which connects to the old 48 port dell switch to PCs and printers. I'm planning to bin the Linksys 24 port and connect the Dell 5424 switches directly to the new switches. I.E

Current:
Dell 48 port switch ----- linksys 24 port ---- 2x Dell 5424 (VMNetwork etc)

Proposed:
New switches x 2 ----- to 2 x Dell 5424

I'm thinking of the HP Procurve 1810-24 port x 2

The new switches will be used to connect around 40 PC's and some printers. Will I need a managed switch with RSTP in order to prevent broadcasts etc? Is the HP Procurve 1810 a decent switch?

Any other recommendations would be appreciated.

As you can probably tell switching isn't my forte

Thanks,

Jon

Sp00n · 6 May 2010 at 16:41

Those HP Procurves are a good choice, I'm a big fan of the HP networking kit at the moment.

The only thing I would maybe suggest is if you are going to be expanding any time soon you "might" want to look in to the modular HP switches a'la: 4204vl

zetec452 · 6 May 2010 at 16:51

Thanks, we probably won't be expanding internally much but I'll take a look at the 4204vl.

Does anybody know if it would be worth me swapping the HP Procurve 1810 in favour of the Dell 5424 for the VMWare network? Is the HP 1810 a better switch than the Dell 5424?

Thanks,

Jon

#Chri5# · 6 May 2010 at 16:57

The 4204vl is £1000+ more expensive than an 1810, so that's a lot of future expansion to cover.

There's not a lot of different in the quoted performance specs:

5424
Switch Fabric Capacity 48.0 Gbps
Forwarding Rate 35.6 Mpps

1810G-24
Throughput up to 35.7 million pps (64-byte packets)
Switching capacity 48 Gbps

zetec452 · 6 May 2010 at 17:00

I'm debating using the HP Switches for the VMWare network as I've not yet managed to configure the Dell's correctly lol. I have more experience with the HP VLANS and trunking etc.