Nexus 3048 vs Catalyst 4948E for ToR switching

Jeremy Gibbs · ‎10-29-2013

Hello,

I am torn between the 4948E and the Nexus 3048 for top of rack switching. Both have there pros and cons. This environment will include uplinks to VM servers, file servers, LDAP servers and some database / web servers.

Can someone help with a recommendation. I like the ultra low latency of the 3048 but the larger buffers may come in handy with bursty traffic.

Thanks

Leo Laohoo · ‎10-29-2013

4948E, when it comes to high-speed servers, is no match to what the Nexus family of switches can offer.

glen.grant · ‎10-29-2013

If you go nexus you have to account for learning all the differences of NX-OS . It is somewhat different than IOS specially if you are going get into vpc's .

Jeremy Gibbs · ‎10-29-2013

Well, I am not worried about the config. I just want the best performing switch for the $. Both are similar in cost. The 4948 is a bit more than the nexus though, but not by much.

Leo - Are you saying go with nexus or catalyst?

Thanks

Leo Laohoo · ‎10-29-2013

Leo - Are you saying go with nexus or catalyst?

If you are after a significant amount of NICs with high-speed, low latency and hitless, then Nexus is the way to go.

Jeremy Gibbs · ‎10-29-2013

Are there any concrete advantages to one over the other?

Jeremy Gibbs · ‎10-30-2013

I ask because we are also looking at this switch (Enterasys SSA130).

This switch has 1 Gb of packet buffering and is a flow based switch..

http://www.enterasys.com/company/literature/s-ds.pdf