Expanding Connected ProCurve Switches

[mikej97204]

I have a ProCurve 5308xl that has two 24 port 10/100 modules and a 16 port gigabyte module. Connected to it with a fiber link is a fully loaded (nine 10/100 8 port modules and a J4111A fiber module for connecting to the 5308xl) ProCurve 4000M. I want to add a ProCurve 5348xl ( two 24 port modules) that I will also install two 16 port gigabit modules that will be used for connecting several servers and workstations that need gigabit connections. This is all on a plain single network.

My question has to do with the best way to connect the 5348xl to the 5308xl. I thought about getting another SX fiber model to connect to the 4 port SX module in the 5308xl but my vendor said that I wouldn't really gain anything over just connecting from gigabit to gigabit port between the J4907A modules I have in both switches using the T slot. But I wonder if connecting by a SX fiber link wouldn't give me better throughput between the 5308xl and 5304xl. Since I am going to have several servers connected to the 5304xl, plus some workstations connected with gigabit nic cards, I don't want to cause any bottle necks if I can help it. I sometimes think I have some bottle necks between the 5308xl and 4000M.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Mike




Mike

 

[unclerico]

so how far apart are these switches??

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[mikej97204]

They will be about a foot. One will be right below the other in the rack. So cable length at least won't be an issue.

Mike

 

[unclerico]

Yeah, fiber won't do anything more for you than a cat6 cable would. They both will operate at 1000/Full, the fiber will give you distance and shielding from noise. Do you have any slots left in either chassis to use the 10GB cards?? If not then take 2 or 4 GB links and create a trunk to get better throughput than just a single uplink.

I hate all Uppercase... I don't want my groups to seem angry at me all the time! =)
- ColdFlame (vbscript forum)

 

[mikej97204]

I took a look for a 10 gb card and couldn't find one for the 5308xl or 5348xl. I do have a slot open in the 5308xl and I can use one of the slots in the 5348xl for a card as well... depending how much these cards cost. If they cost as much as the 16 port gb card does, I probably won't be getting two of those real soon. I've already started spending next years budget getting the 5348xl now.

Do you know the part number for the 10 gb card?

Thanks

Mike

 

[unclerico]

Yeah, I'm not 100% sure on the cost as I've never used the 10GB cards before. The PN is J8988A. You can access the link here:

http://www.hp.com/rnd/accessories/J8988A/accessory.htm

I hate all Uppercase... I don't want my groups to seem angry at me all the time! =)
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[fatboy69]

Make sure you use the T Ports as the other 16 ports are contended at 4 to 1. Not the best for high traffic switch interconnects. 10GB is overkill. do you know what type of traffic you are running over your network?

FB