Cisco → Re: [H/W] Cisco 1921 vs 880 and 890 series

Out of curiosity why Cisco is still in business when those cheap pc's with linux can do much much more and are cheaper..You can put an APU,some fiber NIC's, install linux, configure it and enjoy the Uber speed...?

I found this article...

»www.linux-mips.org/wiki/Cisco

for the branch -- its about support and availability of trained resources. additionally -- i can make my cisco isr/g2 router into a complete branch in a box, complete with switchports, a ucs for virtualized servers, and a wireless lan controller for local a/p registration.
(a) you won't find that integration in a linux router and (b) you won't find people knowledgeable enough to support it if your "admin" leaves.

for the enterprise space -- multilayer switching, etc -- you can't get the multi-10gbe performance in a linux box that i can in my cat6800 or nexus box.

q.

I had to re-do my SMB quals to retain our company Select Partner status and this came up. Good job too 'cos I had previously underestimated just how versatile the ISR G2's were. Most branches won't be sitting on hyper fast internet connections so I can forgive the loss of wire performance when services are added because the platform offers so much more than just moving packets around.

well -- in the isr/g2 space -- you can go all the way up to a 3945e -- which will give you a few hundred meg depending on services. if you need to exceed that -- there is the isr4451-x -- which is a paravirtualised qfp (used in the asr1k). this will give you up to nearly 2gbps throughput (assuming correct licensing) with most services enabled.

q.

Thanks for the number Tubbs. I'll be hitting up my re-seller for prices. I was aware of the 39xx series and it's capabilities. but... I am in a reasonably unique / niche market where selling what are obviously good ideas (to us) can be a tall order. But it'll be good to re-visit the 29xx / 39xx range and properly dig through the options, especially the NM form factor servers and WLC modules.

Well ... you guys play in a big league and big money pool...

What Tubby said. It really is about using the best tool for the job. If I'm looking at a small-ish Cisco router (ISR), then I get:

some of the best support in the business
software familiarity with my other platforms
a wide deployment / user base
specialized WAN interfaces (DS3, T1/E1, etc...)

Sure, a BSD box with similar specs would do well against an ASA (and out-perform an ISR), but, are you able to guarantee that it is deployed properly EVERY time? Who are you going to be able to call when something goes wrong? I mentioned that is what I would run at home. If I get hacked, fail to patch a vulnerability, etc..., I have no one to blame but myself. With that said, I'd NEVER run a FOSS firewall in an environment where my paycheck / reputation depend on it (and I am an avid *BSD user). I don't want to start a flame war over FOSS, as it isn't the point of the post, it is simply my opinion.

Also, while you can make a PC route / firewall, good luck coming anywhere close to Cisco's switching performance, and routing performance on their big routers (ASR/CRS/12K). Basically, anything Cisco does in software is not going to turn anyone's head. What they do in hardware (ASICs) is no comparison (as with other vendors such as Juniper). This is why it is worth paying for Cisco, and why they are still very much in business.

It's intersting that Linux is there for many years, resources are free to learn and seems is still easier to find cisco "specialists" for keeping your network up and running...Or is the oficial Cisco support that matters actually? Hotline, overnight shipment in case of broken ?
I myself learn PC by using it, i liked trial and error..I learn it intereactively without actualy going in "academic" way like CCNA that i am doing now..The PC was more of exploration...Knowing the PC gave me a "pristine" key for unlocking more doors, more creativity like video games..A cisco router it is like this for me...More like a key for open other doors..I read on internet and actually ask question when i need to...I know the resources are there for me...

Lots of Linux commands in the Cisco CLI.
Support is a big part of it I guess. And Cisco qualifications have become the de facto certificates of competence for network engineers and if you're doing a CCNA, you'll see why. It's more than just learning how to set up a switch or a router. Any decent Cisco course / instructor will spend as much time on fault finding techniques rather than setting up the gear in the first place. Fault finding and rectification is where you earn your pay, and you won't get that by turning up at a customer site and Googling for hours when the internet connection is down. Yes you can use a smart phone but I doubt the customer is going to pay for you to sit there on Google all day in the hope that you strike it lucky, find the answer and then have the skill to apply it appropriately before they go bust!

i wouldn't go that far. thats been my m-o for years. hasn't failed me yet ;-P

q.

Nice line but I seriously doubt that!
I strongly suspect you've forgotten more about the Cisco world than I actually know.