Thanks - I didn't know you could do routing on a switch - I'll take a look at those models. It is the intention to connect the buildings with Ethernet as they are less than 100 metres apart.

Do the models you quote come as standard with the ports to create two subnets or do I need a seperate module along with the card?

They come with Ethernet ports, often mainly copper (perhaps like your existing switches) and often with SFP Ethernet ports (where you can use fiber). You define VLANs on the them, usually one subnet per each VLAN. So, two subnets doesn't require any additional hardware.

I am therefore assuming the switch is setup as a default gateway?

If not and the switch intelligently routes between VLAN's then this would not work. I have 8 or so older 3com switches on the network. Clients hooked up to these would need to reach the new subnet therefore would need to see a default gateway to get there.

The L3 switch can provide a gateway.

FYI, a layer 3 switch is basically a layer 2 switch with the addition of a router built in. A full router has some additional features, primarily useful in WAN situations, but for your purposes (routing between two sites connected with Ethernet), a layer 3 switch will do quite nicely (and perform better).

You might want to consider fiber between the sites, on longer runs like that it would probably be more reliable.

Barry,

Have a look at the Cisco Catalyst 3560-8PC. It has 8x10/100 ports plus one gigabit ethernet copper port and you can also use a fibre SFP module instead. You should really use fibre if the buildings are not physically connected, to provide electrical isolation and freedom from any interference problems.

In the UK the 3560-8PC are about £530 each, less than a router. Configure them with VLANs for the users and for the VoIP, also you need to configure QoS to ensure voice quality.

As you said, the L3 switch should be the default gateway for each VLAN (subnet). Then configure a default route on the switch for Internet access.

I can help with the config if you need, but you may wish to take that out of this forum ?

Hi,

Thanks for your kind offer of help. We now plan to run fibre between the buildings though we are now going to run a 50 pair so we can use our existing phones without switching to VoIP. Once we have the cables in place I will decide which switch to go for and may look you up for help if I get stuck.

Thanks again.

Barry

I think that is the best way to go for you. Please feel free to drop me a line, tech@arrownetworks.co.uk will get to me.

Regards,

Iain