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Managed Switches - Network Traffic

My users have been experiencing a slow down with their different applications and I don't have the tools to analyse network traffic to pinpoint the problem. The two big problems are Exchange 2003 and our accounting software. I think both are bloated with historic data. I have avoided archiving email because of the diffiicuty managing pst files (I understand that Exchange 2010 addresses this issue). In the mean time I have seperated our accouting to operate from its own server but am still having issues. My next step is to upgrade my swithces and I want to at a 48 Port Gigabit Managed Switch with POE (so I can move to VOIP with our phone system in the future). I am on a tight budget so I am trying to steer clear of HP Procurve or Cisco and was looking at D-Link. I have always but from HP enjoying their warranty and customer service so I am a little nervous to buy a cheaper brand name. Are their any opinions on the overall problem and purchasing from D-Link? Any suggestions on a good quality swithch that doesn't com with the hefty price tag of HP or Cisco?

Thanks

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stefanx

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WAT1948

ASKER

Thanks for the input on D-Link. I am going to think about getting a Procurve w/out POE since I don't need it yet. I'm am not fully decided yet. I would hate for the switch to go down, especially since it will be the only one in use. I could keep my old equipment for backup.

You are right about exchange. It hasn't been that long since it was defraged. I was running out of space and added a new partiion then moved the information store, now it has plenty of space but is still not as responsive as some of my users would like.

stefanx

An interesting figure in the specification of the DLINK's was the MTBF (Mean Time Before Failure). The POE switch had about half the time that the non-POE switch. I don't know if that applies to POE switches in general

WAT1948

ASKER

Maybe they have a shorter lifespan because of the stress having direct power to the port. I wonder if individual port can fail without bring down the whole switch. I came across a model from netgear that looks good and in my price range (NETGEAR Prosafe® GS748TPS 48 PORT GIGABIT STACKABLE POE SMART SWITCH). Have you had experience with this vendor?

Thanks