[clue] [tech] What ethernet switch should I buy? Suggestions?

[Jim Ockers]

Hi CLUEbies,

I've been out of the IT purchasing loop for a few years and so I thought 
I'd ask the list for opinions on IT technology.  We have a rack in a 
datacenter (obLinux: the servers are mostly running Linux) that is not 
nearby.  I'm upgrading its infrastructure so it has reliable, manageable 
ethernet switches.  When I worked in IT every day I used to know exactly 
what to buy, but now I'm not as sure.

The form factor I need is 1U rack mounted.  100BaseTX is fast enough, 
1000BaseTX is fine but not required, and we have only ethernet 
twisted-pair RJ45 cabling.  Switching OS is unimportant.  Total number 
of ports is around 24, but it could be 2 physical switches of ~12 ports. 
We will require VLANs because there's an "inside" network and an 
"outside" network, and if I buy 2 switches then it's obvious which is 
which, but if I use only one switch then it'll need to have good 
network/VLAN segregation. Cost is somewhat unimportant, but we don't 
need & won't pay for the top of the top of the line.

Reliability is VERY important, because it's unattended & remote and 
pretty much needs to not fail ever, or else give us lots of advance 
warning before any major failure.

Any quick suggestions for something similar to this that you've bought 
lately and like?

Thanks,
Jim

-- 
Jim Ockers, P.E., P.Eng. (ockers at ockers.net)
Contact info: http://www.ockers.net/msi.html


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