[AusNOG] 10GbE Switching Options

[Alex Huntington]

Hi Guys!

Thought I'd throw out a few questions and a request for some feedback around some datacenter switching we are looking at. Currently each server has 6 10GbE NICs of which two are dedicated iSCSI that will run through this fabric.

The current requirement is to replace our 1000BaseT switching with 10GbE but the cost of SFP+ modules is an issue and currently twinax has been rules out due do cable management issues (don't ask :/).
It would be nice to also standardise for our core also so routing is a "nice to have" but not a requirement.

If we could get some decent or support 3rd party SFP+ modules for a good price it would make the Cisco/Brocade options much more attractive but never used the Startech or Netgear SFPs before & I'd like to avoid the vendor finger pointing games.

We are looking at the following

Dell S4048-ON
Pros:

-          Cheap $60 SFP+

-          Cheapest switch cost by 20-30%

-          All in one (no port or IP/routing licences required)
Cons:

-          Different CLI in FTOS, another thing to learn/manage

Brocade VDX 6490
Pros:

-          ISCLI

-          Vendor reputation
Cons

-          SFP+ price $300+

-          Cost of additional port licences  e.g. 24-48 port on demand

Cisco Nexus 3000/9000
Pros:

-          Community support & KB/documentation

-          Vendor reputation

-          Standardise vendor with all other network gear
Cons:

-          SFP+ $1500+

-          IP Lite licence costs

I'd love to hear your thoughts or experience, as I'm sure I've missed a few things!

Cheeeeeers,

Alex
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