Recommendations for L2 Edge Devices

[Rahman_Duran]

Hi,

Sorry to bump this. But we need to decide what to use for L2 edge devices. there are 40 to 100 devices we need to buy or replace next year. So there will be no x430-G2. So what about future of X430? Should we invest on it or consider new 200 series? We need solid line-rate L2 switching with security features like dhcpsnooping arp inspection and something like ipv6 ra guard/ first hop security like in cisco switches.

Regards,

Rahman Note: This conversation was created from a reply on: ExtremeSwitching 200 Series FAQ.

[Rahman_Duran]

Thank you Michael for the clarification on IPv6 RA guard. I agree it is good to have choieces  But not happy about the network OS fragmentation.

[Michael_Ward]

Rahman - my apologies - the 210 & 220 products do indeed support IPv6 RA Guard - there was an omission from the CLI manuals.

The 200 Series was introduced to address a couple of market opportunities in which a lower-cost product was needed, but one that had strong L2 capabilities. This product is leveraging the FASTPATH network OS, which is very widely deployed with many many deployed ports over 15 some years through its evolution - thus you can count on it to be a reliable offering. That said, the X440-G2 product running will have additional capabilities, features and scale that will not be offered in the 200 Series line - we feel it is good to have choices 🙂

thanks
Mike

[Rahman_Duran]

You sure about IPv6 RA guard? Datasheet shows it supports "IPv6 RA Guard (Stateless)".

And about what we want; we were using A2H124 for L2 devices which are OK for what we use but it lacks security features. New Oneview versions also lacks proper support for them. So wee need to retire them. We also started to use A4H124 when A2H series announced End of Sale. Then we start to buy X430 when Enterasys and Extreme Networks merge happened as official suggestion was to invest on Summit devices.

So we know what we need for L2 and X440-G2 while being a good device, is overkill for what we will use them and also far too costly. What we want to know, will there be a X430-G2? Will 200 series replace X430? Or 200 series are just a quick and temporarily family that will share the future of 800 series (a device is neither EOS or EXOS, different CLI. We even don't know why it even exists)?

Alternatives are Cisco 2960X series and HP 2530 or HP 2540 series.

Regards,

Rahman.

[Michael_Ward]

The 200 Series would provide the capabilities you mention with the exception for the IPv6 RA Guard. It is a robust switch with a lot of features for the price, but as mentioned, the 440 will have more overall capability in terms of scale and additional edge features.

[Jeremy_Gibbs]

The question is, what do you need? You need to buy the hardware that will perform the tasks that you need. If you don't need stacking over 4, policy at the port or many advanced features, the 200 series would work for you.

Figure out what features you need and match the product to what you are looking to accomplish. Also, keep in mind, room for growth.