Rack mountable managed switch recommendation

[naimcohen]

Hi guys,

I am doing a small network install for an office with 10 PC's but with the option for upto 20.

The network will be used for general office work, small amount of file sharing but the PC's all link back to a NAS drive to access one file for the accounting program. This is where they had problems before as the network got congested and kept crashing when they all wanted to access the same device.

I usually install the Netgear JGS 524, but was wondering if there is a point to install a managed switch.

They want to be able to track usage and also find out where errors are coming from, if any occur.

So what managed network switch would you guys recommend to use for this type of network? And which manufacturer has the best web interference for the smart switches?

Thanks!

 

[Ayah]

Really need a budget limit and does it need to be completely web managed?

Personally, I'd toss in a L2/L2.5/L3 gigabit switch with a couple of 10G ports for the NAS/future trunks/etc. A used powerconnect 5224 would be an affordable solution if you don't mind it's quirks. An hp 2910 with it's 10G uplink option would probably be more expensive with less quirks.

Yes, overkill. I can't help myself, I use an L2.5 hp 1910 in my single-person apartment (best 85$ spent on computer equipment ever)

I'm not actually sure you need a managed switch, but I've never actually used a L1.5 switch: a lot of people just *really* want vlans and a couple other L2/L3 features.
You probably should look through the features between L1.5 and >=L2 switches and careful go over what you need, what you want, and what might possibly be useful in the future.

 

[Zargon]

HP Pro Curve V1910

it will push some serious packets for the price. full wire speed gig on all 24 ports at once

decent web interface, vlans, LACP, QoS


ayah how did you snag one for 85? that's what I have my eye on to replace my powerconnect 2724

 

[Ayah]

got my 1910 from a used deal from kijiji (popular canada online classifieds)

 

[naimcohen]

Thanks for the replies guys.

Budget would be slightly higher than a normal 24 port gigabit switch, which it seems the HP V1910 sits in nicely.

Would the NAS be ok going into any of those ports or is there a specific port for it to go into like Ayah is talking about?

There is no need for Vlans or anything like that, it is a simple office layout. An unmanaged switch would probably be fine but they want to be able to see activity per port and possibly QOS for the NAS drive.

I will be buying the equipment from here http://www.comms-express.com they have the HP switch mentioned http://www.comms-express.com/products/hp-procurve-v1910-24g-switch/ and they also have a managed Netgear switch: GS724TS http://www.comms-express.com/products/netgear-gs724ts/

Would the HP switch be better than that one? and I assume that either will be fine for my requirements?

Thanks again!

 

[Ayah]

With the 1910, any gigabit port will do (all the ports are gigabit). If you went with the Dell 5224 or HP 2910, then a 10G port (assuming 10G on server as well) is more ideal for the increased transfer rate.

Out of the gs724 and hp 1910, I'd take the 1910 personally but either will suffice. Doesn't require funky proprietary software to manage. Just "generic" web/cli.
Only downside to the 1910 is it's ridiculously wide (little over 17") and it sounds like enterprise gear. (yay for built in turbines): shouldn't be a problem for a business setup, little annoying for an apartment.

 

[cmetz]

naimcohen, if you're in a business environment and time / failure costs money, a managed switch is usually a good idea.

I would not recommend the current Dell switches. They have sold (they don't make them, really, they're OEMed from other vendors) ones that were great for what they were and they've sold some real duds, and the current ones they're selling I haven't been too happy with.

I haven't been happy with Netgear for business-grade use either. Too many things that are flaky or just SOHO-grade yet they do it in what should be small to medium enterprise products. "Managed" switches shouldn't need a proprietary Windows program that speaks a proprietary protocol to update their firmware, and that process should actually work and not nearly-brick the switch requiring flashes back to older firmware and then magically work when you try it a few times. And their support - including warranty - was still the outsourced to India routine last time I checked.

Consider also looking at used Cisco 2960G switches. I really dislike used for production settings, but the 2960Gs are very solid and you can get them from vendors who specialize in used Cisco gear with a replacement warranty. That might end up getting you a lot better switch for the same price range.

 

[Ayah]

Oh, didn't actually notice that his previous switch is a completely dumb switch. previous post edited!

 

[drebo]

I'd look at something used from Ebay. A Cisco 2960G as recommended earlier would be great. Or 2970s. Or a 3560G if you think you might need some future inter-vlan routing.

The benefits of a managed switch are great and varied.

 

[noobsrevenge]

OP What kind of budget are you working with? That is necessary given your scenario could be handled by anything from a 100 dollar dumb Gb switch to a several thousand dollar one, a budget would help narrow down recommendations.

What I can say, however, is that the guy recommending L3 switches for 10 people, and USED hardware, for a production environment has no clue what he is talking about.

Don't be like that guy.

 

[naimcohen]

I would rather not go used to be honest. It looks like it will be the HP managed switch.

It looks like it will do what's required and more, also has a lifetime warranty so that's always a bonus.

Thanks for the help guys!

 

[drebo]

OP What kind of budget are you working with? That is necessary given your scenario could be handled by anything from a 100 dollar dumb Gb switch to a several thousand dollar one, a budget would help narrow down recommendations.

What I can say, however, is that the guy recommending L3 switches for 10 people, and USED hardware, for a production environment has no clue what he is talking about.

Don't be like that guy.

LOL.

That's all I'll say.

 

[naimcohen]

To update I used the HP switch mentioned and is working fine. Not had much time to play around with the features but will hopefully get time when I go back to the site for some other work required.

Would you suggest putting the NAS to work with QoS or is it not required with a low number of users?

Thanks again for the advice and I hope someone else finds this useful!

 

[cmetz]

naimcohen, I don't recommend the use of any QoS feature unless you have a very specific problem that you know it will solve.