Hi!

I'm in the process of upgrading alot of switches (about 400 terminals
in the whole building). From 3Com to HP or Cisco. What is important is
that we want a gigabit "backbone", we want all the servers to be
connected with gigabit. Also we want all the switches around the
building to be connected to the main switch with gigabit. All the
terminals is connected with 100 mbit to the switches. What I would
like to know is in what way do the procurve series from HP differ from
the catalyst series from Cisco. We are not intending to use any
management software like OpenView to watch the switches. Could you
point me to any links on comparisment between the lines (benchmarks
etc.). For example we look at either 2950G-48 from Cisco or 2650 from
HP.

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Clarification of Question by flashz-ga on 17 Nov 2004 21:48 PST

Of course, price is a question here!

I switched from Cisco to HP switching products about 2 years ago and
have been thrilled. If cost is truly an issue, need to remember that
HP switching equipment comes with lifetime warranty, advance part
replacement, free switch firmware upgrades, and a free management
utility (Procurve manager). 2650 series will be fine for edge closets,
but you really should get a modular switch with at least layer-3
capability for your main closet and server room. Modular switch
supports redundant power supplies, easy expansion, and eases backbone
management. HP 4100gl series has layer 3, but if you want layer-4,
Quality of Service features, you will need a 5300xl series.

Hi!

As an answer to this question I would be happy if you could write a
summary of when you switched, why. Pro and Cons, including all the
stuff you wrote below.  Which I can include in my benchmarking of the
products. Aswell as the good tings about layer-3.  (I don't know if
you are interested or if you would like me to increase the value on
the question).  This does not have to be long, "one page" would be
enough!

What about the 3400CL series then ?