asked on

layer 4 switch vs. linux with snmp

Hello,

I am wondering how a layer 4 switch compares to a UNIX/LINUX
server running SNMP connected to a HUB.

Could you please provide some info on what the differences would be and any other implications....

Thanks

missy041598

ASKER

I guess some specifc things I would like to know are can I cap bandwidth to different IP addresses and can I monitor traffic to different web sites on the same IP address?

ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION

stooky

membership

This solution is only available to members.

To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.

Start Free Trial

missy041598

ASKER

Are you sure the cost works out the same? From my research a layer 4 switch is around $20K whereas a linux box can be around $2-3K

stooky

Missy,

Check out NPI, they might have some cheaper layer 4 stuff. I know their Layer 3 stuff is priced awesome.

You can definately monitor traffic on IPs in Linux, but I'm not sure about throttling bandwidth. Why do you need to control the bandwidth TO IPs?

You can't just compare price when dealing with this kind of stuff. You have to look at implementation time, support availability and ongoing maintenance. For example, a Compaq CacheCube based on NetWares FastCache technology will out-perform a Linux box hands down and you get the wicked tech support from Compaq.

I personally am a huge advocate of using Linux, but for many applications it just isn't mature enough yet.

Chris.
Stooky >:)
stooky@the.link.ca

missy041598

ASKER

Can you reccomend a good switch (ideally from cisco or HP) that can cap bandwidth on a per port basis? We are under a tight budget to so something not too expensive.. Ideally it should be able to monitor traffic on a per IP basis...

Thanks alot

Moondancer

GREETING!

This question was awarded, but never cleared due to the JSP-500 errors of that time. It was "stuck" against userID -1 versus the intended expert whom you awarded. This corrects the problem and the expert will now receive these points; points verified.

Please click on your Member Profile and select "View Question History" to navigate through any open or locked questions you may have to update and finalize them. If you are an EE Pro user, you can also choose Power Search to find all your open questions.

This is the Community Support link, if help is needed, along with the link to All Topics which reflects many TAs recently added. You'll also find a link there for Experts who wish to participate in the cleanup effort of old and abandoned questions.

https://www.experts-exchange.com/jsp/qList.jsp?ta=commspt
https://www.experts-exchange.com/jsp/zonesAll.jsp

Thank you,
Moondancer
Moderator @ Experts Exchange