2022-05-12T19:40:00Z

What LAN switching solution do you recommend?

Why?

NC
Content Manager at PeerSpot (formerly IT Central Station)
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6
PeerSpot user
6 Answers
DG
Tech blogger
Real User
Top 5
2022-05-18T12:16:27Z
May 18, 2022

When I compared local area network (LAN) switching tools and solutions, I found Cisco Catalyst Switches and Netgear Ethernet Switches to be the most effective ones currently available on the market.


One of the things that I initially noticed about Cisco Catalyst Switches was how it gave me the ability to perform a number of different functions with a single switch. The solution allows administrators to accomplish CRM tasks, such as constructing marketing campaigns, while also keeping systems safe from external threats. The switches employ Application-Specific Integrated Circuits (ASIC), which allow me to easily create programmable pipelines that facilitate the performance of critical business functions. At the same time, Cisco Catalyst Switches use powerful security features to combat all manner of threats. One such feature is their Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA) capability. This feature places powerful machine learning into the hands of system administrators. The machine learning software gives users the ability to filter their system traffic to identify and then move to resolve anomalies and other issues. Administrators can filter their data traffic in a uniform and consistent way. A single switch allows us to complete various vital activities at the same time.


A major advantage that Cisco Catalyst Switches offer us is their ability to run various protocols consistently across the entirety of our network. Cisco Catalyst Switches make it possible for users to roll out things like updates in a consistent way across their networks. This is possible because they employ a Precision Time Protocol (PTP), which synchronizes systems with sub-microsecond accuracy, meaning that users can set an update to happen and the whole system will employ it at virtually the same time. Vast networks can be kept uniform when it comes to the implementation of important policies and protocols. This enables us to maximize our levels of security as well as productivity.


Two aspects of Netgear Ethernet Switches that I really appreciate are its powerful security features and the way that it lets us centralize both our network management and our tracking capabilities. Netgear Ethernet Switches use powerful security features to combat all manner of threats. One such feature is their Access Control Lists (ACLs) protocol. This protocol creates a list that acts as a gatekeeper. It only allows users whose credentials match the credentials that are on the list to access the network. The ACLs prevent unauthorized users from penetrating our network and harming us. Netgear Ethernet Switches also employ filters that monitor the traffic that pass through our network. When they detect threats, they either block the threats or, if they cannot, they notify us so that we can address the issue. All of the built-in features enable us to maximize our network’s protection while also minimizing our resource expenditure.

Netgear Ethernet Switches enable us to control and track our network from a “single pane of glass” dashboard. We can track all of our network data in real time. From a single location, we can take control of every aspect of our network. The solution gives us the ability to scale our network in a way that allows us to control the entire network from a single switch. It virtually stacks IP addresses and aggregates them. This prevents our ability to perform network management from becoming unnecessarily complex when we scale the network up.


Ultimately, either of these two solutions will empower you to take complete control of your network’s creation, management, and security.

Search for a product comparison in LAN Switching
TR
Self Employed at Switact
Real User
2022-05-17T20:46:27Z
May 17, 2022

As always... depends. Most important, focus on one brand. Interoperability is easier.


Find out what you NEED, and what you WANT. Sometimes Cisco gives you more configuration options than HP/Aruba (Procurve), BUT, do you need these extra options? Maybe.


I'm personally still very fond of HP Procurve (now one of the HP/Aruba lines of switches. I hardly ever missed a feature, and my environments were never that big, that I needed centralized management. This is possible, but never had the time to investigate.

EK
Partner / Owner at Bimel Elektronik Mamuller Paz. Ltd.
Real User
2022-05-16T15:25:34Z
May 16, 2022

All brands claim that their switches are;


a) Wirespeed


b) Non-blocking


Therefore, I don't anticipate any performance difference between brands.


If you are only concerned about performance, you can buy just any brand/model.


If you are "really" concerned about performance, you should think about purchasing switches with 10 Gbps or 25 Gbps or 40 Gbps or 100 Gbps Ethernet interfaces (then your PCs should also support such rates, and your cabling should be able to handle such rates).

In short, you should be more concerned about the following things:


a) Price.


b) Delivery time (because of chip shortage).


c) Failure rates.


d) Service and support.


e) Extra features (if you need them). 


Your need for extra features (including Layer-3 capabilities, QoS capabilities and security capabilities) will mainly depend on the size of your network and your specific work requirements. 

AG
Senior Director Information Technology at a hospitality company with 201-500 employees
User
2022-05-18T06:23:41Z
May 18, 2022

You need to provide more information about your operation, size, single building multiple building, campus, etc. 


Just asking what LAN solution you recommend will not provide you with the right type of solution for your requirements, as you have not provided enough information. 


Is it for home, is it for work, small business, medium business, large business, are you a public company, etc?  

Dawie De Lange - PeerSpot reviewer
Principal Network Engineer at layer7
User
2022-05-18T06:03:08Z
May 18, 2022

Depends on the size of your network, redundancy requirement, etc. 


I would steer away from legacy networks where things like spanning tree is always a nightmare. 


Look at Extreme Networks Campus Fabric solution, no spanning-tree enabled on any uplinks and all uplinks are active.

ER
Micro Emprendedor at edo.cl
User
2022-05-16T18:12:09Z
May 16, 2022

If you have diverse network products to connect to this switch (Huawei, Ubiquiti, Citrix media), discard Ruckus/Brocade (many incompatibilities with not common products).

Learn what your peers think about Cisco Catalyst Switches. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: September 2023.
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CL
Senior IT Infrastructure Engineer at Tecnoage
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Hello peers,  I bought S6800 Fiberhome switches at an auction, and I'm trying to get them to work properly and I can't get them to route to the default gateway configured on the static route 0.0.0.0/0 from any VLAN. Brazil support doesn't even answer my emails. Does someone know this product and can provide me with a little help? Thank you.
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AC
Content Editor at PeerSpot
Sep 10, 2023
To resolve routing issues with your Fiberhome 40G S6800 switches and their default gateway configuration, you may consider the following steps: Check your hardware connections and ensure that all physical connections, including cables and interfaces, are correctly connected and functional. Access your switch configuration by logging into the switch's management interface using the appropriate credentials. Verify that the static route 0.0.0.0/0 is correctly configured with the correct next-hop IP address for your default gateway. Double-check the VLAN configurations on your switches to confirm that each VLAN is associated with the correct IP subnet. Inspect the routing table to ensure the switch has learned the routes correctly and the default route is listed. Confirm that Inter-VLAN routing is enabled and configured correctly to allow traffic to flow between VLANs. Review any firewall or security policies that may be blocking traffic between VLANs or to the default gateway. Check for any firmware or software updates available for your switches and consider upgrading if necessary. Additional recommendations are found below: For troubleshooting guidance, search for user manuals, documentation, or online forums related to Fiberhome 40G S6800 switches. If the issue persists, consider consulting with third-party support services.
CL
Senior IT Infrastructure Engineer at Tecnoage
Sep 19, 2023
Hello folks.  I have a specific question about a FiberHome S6800 switch (40G/100G configuration) as I'm not able to find any "How To's" about this switch. My question is simple: does this switch support bi-directional SFP modules? If so, how can I enable it?Thank you very much for your help.
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AC
Content Editor at PeerSpot
Sep 19, 2023
It is reported that the FiberHome S6800 switch (40G/100G configuration) supports bi-directional SFP modules. To enable bi-directional SFP modules on the FiberHome S6800 switch, it may be best to follow these steps: Log in to the switch's web console. Go to Configuration > Interface > Optical Interface. Select the interface that you want to configure for bi-directional SFP. Under SFP Transceiver, select Bi-Directional. Click Save. Once you have enabled bi-directional SFP on the interface, you could insert a bi-directional SFP module into the interface for the switch to detect the module and configure it for bi-directional operation automatically. Here are some additional points to keep in mind when using bi-directional SFP modules on the FiberHome S6800 switch: Bi-directional SFP modules could be more expensive than standard SFP modules. Bi-directional SFP modules could be more difficult to troubleshoot than standard SFP modules. Bi-directional SFP modules may not be compatible with all devices.
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