Thoughts on the Cisco Catalyst Express 500 series

[efiftythree]

Has anyone had any experience with this 'new' line of switches? I'm liking the price but I dont want to get caught up in one of those "you get what you pay for" type situations.

To be more specific I am looking at the Cisco Catalyst Express 500-24LC model. The other option is to go with the Cisco Catalyst 2960-24TC or higher. Im open to suggestions, thoughts, etc.

Thanks ahead of time

 

[ADB100]

Have a look on the Cisco Systems Network Professionals Connection Forum (on CCO). There are quite a few people unhappy with them and I think they are 'you get what you pay for'.

They have no CLI or Console port (recovery procedures are hold buttons and power off/on etc to wipe config). Management is via the built-in WEB browser or Cisco Network Assistance (plus SNMP), no telnet......

I haven't seen them yet although I am sure I will due to the price. I think they are purely aimed at the VERY small networks where you have one or two switches only.

HTH

Andy

 

[efiftythree]

Thanks for the input Andy. I'm convinced myself that they wouldnt be worth it in my environment. I dont know that I could live without the CLI and have yet to be impressed by any Cisco GUI based configuration tools.

After some research I believe that I am going to go with 2960's (which came out at the same time as the 500's) for closet/zone/departmental switching and 3750's for core switching. I would like to make the jump to 4500's for the core but I dont think that I can justify the cost at this point in time. Maybe in a year or two.

 

[mattyjenks]

From the Cisco Technology Update:
The Catalyst Express 500's are directed at the 'magazine purchaser' ie mailorder...

If you want a 'proper' Cisco envionment go for what you know... 2940 - 6500