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Pros and Cons of Clustering switches

ekeen
Level 1
Level 1

Can someone tell me the pros and cons of clustering switches? It sound like its just for managing multiple switches or is it more trouble that its worth?

TIA

2 Replies 2

ankurbhasin
Level 9
Level 9

Hi Ekeen,

I think it has couple of advantages

Using CMS and switch clusters can simplify and minimize your configuration and monitoring tasks. You can use Cisco switch clustering technology to manage up to 16 interconnected and supported Catalyst switches through one IP address as if they were a single entity. This can conserve IP addresses if you have a limited number of them.

Yes one disadvantage I can think of is like it cannot go beyond 16 so there is a max number limitation regards to number of switch in cluster. Also if you configure Secure Socket Layer (SSL) version 3.0 for a secure (HTTPS) connection, the SSL connection stops at the command switch. Cluster member switches must run nonsecure HTTP

Read this link for some advantages

http://www.cisco.com/en/US/products/hw/switches/ps628/products_configuration_guide_chapter09186a008007ebf7.html#42067

HTH

Ankur

gaertnerm
Level 1
Level 1

Hi,

well it has advantages as well as some flaws imho.

Advantage:

- Very scalable at low cost. You can add a lot of models onto a stack, ranging from 12port to 48 port, from 100Base-X Uplink to 10Gig-Uplink, with or without PoE with just the buying of a new switch. In modular switches, you have to buy the chassis and then add modules on it which might not come as divers as standalone-switches.

- A somewhat higher redundancy. Spread the uplinks onto different switches in the stack and you'll have nearly no single point of failure (enviromental errors such as power not considered), whereas modular switches always have the backplane as (very rare) spe... and, if your not rockefeller, is the single supervisor engine.

- You can spread a stack (with 3750) over some distance, at least more than on a modular switch. That gives you enough room to implement some cable-routing facilities inbetween the switches.

Disadvantages:

- surely the need for more power outlets, one for each switch

- management, as stated on previous post (well, it's quite similar to modular switches but not exactly, just have a look at snmp, it's a mess on stacks :-( )

- heat dissipation (not really checked on that). X powersupplies generate more heat than Y, if Y < X...

Mathias

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