Advice for new switches

[Succotash]

Hello,

I'm hoping someone will be able to give me some advice for replacing our old network switches.

My current core switch has 4 SFP ports that are being used. I need to replace this old switch with a Cisco Meraki switch that has more than 4 10GB SFP ports.  We are currently constructing a new building that will need to have fiber coming from the core switch. There will be a total of 5 SFP ports required.

Can anyone please recommend if there is a switch that has more than 4 SFP ports or can you please recommend another solution for this?

Thank you

[rhbirkelund]

If you're looking for a single switch with more than 4x 10G SFP+ ports, you're looking at either a MS390 with a 8x 10G network module, or the MS425 series.

Perhaps you should consider 2x MS225s stacked together, assuming if fits your other needs.

[IvanJukic]

I Agree with PhilipDAth. Best option. The End of Support date is Sep 28, 2029. So it will be supported til then.

"Available in 2 different port densities, 16 or 32 x 10G SFP+, both of which include 2 × 40G QSFP+ uplink/stacking ports "

https://documentation.meraki.com/MS/MS_Overview_and_Specifications/MS425_Overview_and_Specifications

Cheers,

Ivan

[rwiesmann]

What are you requirements besides the 5 10GB SFP's?

for the 5 10GB SFP's you are with the MS390 Series or the MS425.

MS390-24

MS390-48

MS425-16

MS425-32

Check out this link for the Ports on this Switches.

https://meraki.cisco.com/de-de/products/switches/models/

Hope this helps

Roger

[Succotash]

Thank you guys. I will have a look at the MS390 and MS425. 

I appreciate your feedback!

[GreenMan]

For new deployments, I would recommend looking at C9300-M models, over MS390 and possibly MS425 too, depending on your precise need.

If you require an aggregation / small core stack to be split between comms rooms, linked by fibre, then MS425 with Flexible Stacking would fit that.

https://meraki.cisco.com/product/switches/catalyst-9300-m/

[PhilipDAth]

I'm with @GreenMan - go for a C9300-M and get the 8 x 10Gbe module for it,

The MS390 and MS425 are on the verge of going end of sale.

[BlakeRichardson]

MS390 has a reputation for being a lemon. MS425-16 would be the most cost effective solution IMO. Modular switches are usually expensive. 

[Brash]

Agreed with the above comments; go for a C9300-M instead with an 8x 10Gbe Module

The MS390 and MS390 and MS425 actually just got an EOL announcement today.

EoL announced for MS120 MS125 MS390 MS410 MS425 faimilies! - The Meraki Community

[rhbirkelund]

To be fair, those EoL announcements on MS425 and MS390 came after I posted my suggestion.

But yes, as others have mentioned the MS390, while based on Catalyst 9300 hardware, hasn't really had the best track record.
That being said the MS390 won't be End-of-Support until 2032 - lots of time, to get some value out of it, eventhough it's EoL.

If you have a policy against switches that have a EoL announcement, go with either C9300-M with a 8x 10Gb module if you want a single switch, or 2x MS225 stacked switches.

[Succotash]

Thanks everyone for all of your comments. I really appreciate it.

[Succotash]

One more question guys. In regards to the new building. The fibre cable from this will be going to our art building. This has six spare cores that go back to the admin cabinet that has the core switch. Instead of getting a new core switch with more than four SFP ports would it be possible to just plug in the fibre cable from the new building into the spare SFP port in the MS225 switch that is in the art building. This will then just piggy back off this switch instead of going back to the core switch.  So the art switch will have the fibre SFP connection that goes to the Core and then also the fibre SFP connection going to the new building.

Is this solution not really recommended?

Thank you guys