Hi Giuseppe.

Many thanks for your quick reply :)

I think that the C3570 is the best option for us. Is there a minimum IOS version that we need to be able to operate the multiple protocols?

Do you know if we can run OSPF with the two BGP peers as to automatically decide which way to route packets in case of failure of one of the peers?

I don-t think a 3750 is the best choice for facing the internet with two bgcp peers.

First of all, it does not have memory enough to keep the full table with one peer, much less with two. And the memory, is not expandable.

Then, the CPU is very slow, like a 2801 or less. This mean when the swtich is busy processing or sending routing updates, you will have poor response from the console, and other strange effects.

Finally and most important, not being a true router is unable to do most of what is most oftetn required> VPN termination, tunnels, NAT, advanced ACLs and PBR.

You qould be better using a true router, you can begin with a 2821 fro not much bandwidth, up to 7200 with NPE-G1 or G2 when required.

Very good point.

I take it that I can get a 2821 with multiple modules, perhaps a 4 port 100TX && a couple of SFP's?

Many thanks.

Hello Alex,

consider C3750 if only you want to:

a) receive default routes from the two eBGP peers.

b) no NAt is required on the box

you need an IP services image to run BGP

see

Advanced IP unicast routing protocols (Open Shortest Path First [OSPF], Interior Gateway Routing Protocol [IGRP], Enhanced IGRP [EIGRP], Border Gateway Protocol Version 4 [BGPv4, IS-ISv4]) are supported for load balancing and constructing scalable LANs. The IP Services image is required.

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/prod/collateral/switches/ps5718/ps5023/product_data_sheet0900aecd80371991.html

Hope to help

Giuseppe

I am looking at a new router as well. I Have two gateways, one is a 100 meg connection and another 50 meg connection. No BGP just separate providers. I'm an ISP. Would a 2841 with expanded memory work well for this application?

No it would not. Look at the above router performance attachment.

As another poster said you are looking for at least a 7201 with an NPE-G1, better an NPE-G2. This will likely cost you $30k+.

The bare minimum I would use would be a 3845 with max memory, this being ~$12k.

Others have touched it but let me state it plainly -- if you have two providers with >10Mbps links, you will need a router that can move that much traffic while also providing services (it will need some CPU horsepower, which a 28xx does not have a lot of).

You will also want a router that can take two full Internet routing tables so your can choose the best path between the two providers. Each Internet routing table is >200k routes, and this means you will want at least 1GB of memory.

Get a 7201 with NPE-G1 or G2.

Thank you for the info.