Equipment Support > Hardware By Brand > Cisco > need layer 3 physical switch

need layer 3 physical switch

A cheap one would be Catalyst 3550. The 3550 (24 or 48 port TX type) is 1U with lower power consumption than 5000 series. The fan noise I would say medium; not as loud as 5000 but still bothers ears especially when you keep it in a living or bed room.

Since you brought up a concern of power consumption, you may also want to consider 3560 8- or 12-port that is not only low in power consumption but also fanless, much quieter than 3550 or 5000 series. The downside might be that the 3560 8-port switch is at higher price than the old 3550 or 5000.

So at this point you may want to ask yourself; would you see the 3560 8-port as long-term investment or do you need something quick and cheap like 3550 switch?

reply to kracksmith
Second the 3550 option. If you choose that route, will also need to decide whether
you'll need the SMI image (static and RIP routing only) or EMI image (inc. OSPF, EIGRP,
and BGP).

Now if only I can find a 3550-12T for cheap...

Regards

reply to kracksmith
The 3524 is Layer two and really noisy. The 3550 is pretty quiet and comes in a 24 Port POE or 48 non POE (there may be a 12 port too). If you get one get the EMI version. That one does dynamic routing like BGP, OSPF, etc.

reply to kracksmith
thanks for your input guys, ok 3550 24 port emi is the one i'm going to get then, avg cost is 100 bucks usd.

any particular place to shop besides ebay?

reply to kracksmith

SMI/EMI are not physically any different... It's just the IOS code...

Let me rephrase "$100USD on ebay for a 3550 switch loaded with EMI..."

Either the seller doesn't know what they're selling here, or prices have dropped, for what
reason, I can't fathom. Maybe it's time to talk to my wallet again for another set
of 3550EMIs

Regards

the lowest emi i see in ebay right now is 129.00 with 30 shipping. other normal prices for emi on ebay is about 150-175. the site you provide wants 350 for emi

reply to HELLFIRE
I just picked up two 3550 SMI's for $141 shipped.

I'm hoping to find EMI code somewhere to start tinkering

Not bad, paided $200 for a pair of 3550-24PWR-SMI back in August.

Alright folks...

Nice that you're getting this stuff for cheap, but can we get a few more places? I was looking for some things to build a CCIE lab in my home office using 4 3550's and a PC running GNS3. I just need to find someplace to get the switches. Here's one spot where I looked today:

»www.usedcisco.com/cisco/WS-C3550-48-SMI

Obviously I need to look for EMI along with a cheaper store

Jay

Never ordered from them, but was tempted many times: »www.certificationkits.com/cisco-···-switch/

3550-24-EMI for $129.99

That's high; I paid the same for a 48 port EMI.

reply to DocLarge
3550SMI + CCO ID with access to EMI code... don't know if that's an option for you or not DocLarge.

Otherwise, it's just trolling around the internet for deals.

Regards

reply to chandom

reply to Da Geek Kid
Actually, it's the same IOS. The difference (if there is any) is in the PROM: Model number: WS-C3550-48-EMI It used to be EMI models had more memory to support the additional features, but I don't know if that's still true.

reply to Da Geek Kid

reply to kracksmith
Giggity giggity...

Got my hands on a crypto-enabled IOS image for my C3550s thanks to a very helpful fellow forum member here. They still show up as SMI switches. It's all good. This should still help me practice what I'm reading on my CCNA Security book.

:)

Switch#sh ver
Cisco IOS Software, C3550 Software (C3550-IPSERVICESK9-M), Version 12.2(50)SE, R
ELEASE SOFTWARE (fc1)
Copyright (c) 1986-2009 by Cisco Systems, Inc.
Compiled Sat 28-Feb-09 04:04 by weiliu
Image text-base: 0x00003000, data-base: 0x013EE974
 
ROM: Bootstrap program is C3550 boot loader
 
Switch uptime is 1 minute
System returned to ROM by power-on
System image file is "flash:c3550-ipservicesk9-mz.122-50.SE.bin"
 
This product contains cryptographic features and is subject to United
States and local country laws governing import, export, transfer and
use. Delivery of Cisco cryptographic products does not imply
third-party authority to import, export, distribute or use encryption.
Importers, exporters, distributors and users are responsible for
compliance with U.S. and local country laws. By using this product you
agree to comply with applicable laws and regulations. If you are unable
to comply with U.S. and local laws, return this product immediately.
 
A summary of U.S. laws governing Cisco cryptographic products may be found at:
http://www.cisco.com/wwl/export/crypto/tool/stqrg.html
 
If you require further assistance please contact us by sending email to
export@cisco.com.
 
Cisco WS-C3550-48 (PowerPC) processor (revision E0) with 65526K/8192K bytes of m
emory.
Processor board ID CHK0636W1DK
Last reset from warm-reset
Running Layer2/3 Switching Image
 
Ethernet-controller 1 has 12 Fast Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interfaces
 
Ethernet-controller 2 has 12 Fast Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interfaces
 
Ethernet-controller 3 has 12 Fast Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interfaces
 
Ethernet-controller 4 has 12 Fast Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interfaces
 
Ethernet-controller 5 has 1 Gigabit Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interface
 
Ethernet-controller 6 has 1 Gigabit Ethernet/IEEE 802.3 interface
 
48 FastEthernet interfaces
2 Gigabit Ethernet interfaces
 
The password-recovery mechanism is enabled.
384K bytes of flash-simulated NVRAM.
Base ethernet MAC Address: 00:0A:F4:1F:35:00
Motherboard assembly number: 73-5701-06
Power supply part number: 34-0967-01
Motherboard serial number: CAT063509AS
Power supply serial number: DCA06331F6U
Model revision number: E0
Motherboard revision number: D0
Model number: WS-C3550-48-SMI
System serial number: CHK0636W1DK
Configuration register is 0x10F