Ethernet Switching

Cisco offers new Catalyst 2975 Stackable Switches

Cisco has announced that they are offering new Catalyst 2975 stackable switches. Cisco claims that these new switches can help to lower your TCO for Ethernet switches. These switches offer:

• Integrated security, including network admission control (NAC)
• Enhanced quality of service (QoS)
• Resiliency to deliver intelligent services for the network edge
• 48 10/100/1000 PoE ports and 4 Small Form-Factor Pluggable (SFP) uplinks
• High-speed stacking for up to nine switches
• Unified stack management to simplify management of the network access layer
• Auto software image and configuration provisioning for plug-and-play hardware replacement
• Network control and bandwidth optimization using QoS shaping, granular rate limiting, traffic classification, sophisticated access control lists (ACLs), and multicast services
• NAC through a wide range of authentication methods and support for the Cisco Catalyst Integrated Security Framework
• Common Cisco IOS Software with support for Auto QoS and Smartports
• Easy network configuration and troubleshooting using Cisco Network Assistant software
• Software updates at no additional charge

For more information see: Cisco 2975 Stackable Switches.

Manage network broadcasts on Cisco switches using storm control

It’s important to protect your organization’s LAN from broadcast storms, which can cause network slowdowns if they become severe. In one of my latest articles, I  explain how you can easily and quickly defend your network by configuring storm control on each Cisco switch interface. For step by step instructions, please read:  Manage network broadcasts on Cisco switches using storm control

90 minutes of FREE Cisco switch training on video

A friend of mine recently pointed me to these FREE videos that go in depth on how to configure Cisco switches and configure VLANs. There are 6 parts to these videos and, together, they are over 1.5 hours long (90 minutes). Cisco CCIE, Chris Bryant is the instructor and he does a great job showing you, on a Cisco switch, how to configure all that you need to know - both to administer a Cisco switch and to prepare for the Cisco CCNA certification or the CCNP switching exam. I hope you will take a look at these free Cisco switching videos.

Could Woven’s High Performance Ethernet switches be the best you can buy?

I’ll be honest with you, I don’t know the answer to this question but I was introduced to Woven Systems by their a friend at their PR firm who shared the following story with me about Woven. Their equipment and solutions sound VERY impressive and their switch was “good enough for Einstein” so it sounds worth looking into if you need a high performance Ethernet switch…

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