POE Switches for VOIP
We are in the process of going to VOIP. Recently, the vendor let us know that we would need to change out our switch for POE switches if we didn't want to use power supplies.
We are currently using 3 Cisco Small Business SG 200-26 26-port Gigabit Smart Switches piggy backed.
They suggest: Cisco 3560-24 POE Gigabit Switch $ 2,239 each!
We found online: Cisco Small Business Smart SG200-26FP-switch-26ports-
We are not sure of the difference between the two and whether we need to spend the extra money for the switches they are recommending.
Any help would be most appreciated.
We are currently using 3 Cisco Small Business SG 200-26 26-port Gigabit Smart Switches piggy backed.
They suggest: Cisco 3560-24 POE Gigabit Switch $ 2,239 each!
We found online: Cisco Small Business Smart SG200-26FP-switch-26ports-
We are not sure of the difference between the two and whether we need to spend the extra money for the switches they are recommending.
Any help would be most appreciated.
ASKER
Our consultants like Cisco and I tend to agree with them. So we are only looking at Cisco. Thanks.
OK, but you don't need L3 switches for this. 2960 or less should be more than enough.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
We want to be able to set up a couple VLans so I assume we need the L3 for this, yes?
No, L2 is where VLans are defined, Layer 3 will allow you to perform routing on the switch (use the switch as a router)
L2 supports tagging and forwarding (isolation).
L3 is required if you need to interconnect the different VLANs (routing).
But I don't know why you would like to have VLANs for VOIP ...
L3 is required if you need to interconnect the different VLANs (routing).
But I don't know why you would like to have VLANs for VOIP ...
As long as the switches you are looking at support VLANs and QoS, you will be good. You really really want good QoS support though, as not having that can drastically affect your call quality---and when it happens, it's generally really nasty. You certainly don't need L3 switches though, like the 3560s.
As for the people who will chime in and say "you don't need QoS on a LAN," well I think that viewpoint, while true in certain circumstances, is naive and risky. Why take a chance with your voice calls? You _might_ not have any problems without QoS, but it's certainly not uncommon...
You can save a considerable amount and still have great enterprise switches if you go with HP Procurve models. I love configuring the Ciscos, and they are great stuff, but HPs are great too. If you must have Cisco, then take a look at the 2900 series (2960). They should more than meet your needs.
As for the people who will chime in and say "you don't need QoS on a LAN," well I think that viewpoint, while true in certain circumstances, is naive and risky. Why take a chance with your voice calls? You _might_ not have any problems without QoS, but it's certainly not uncommon...
You can save a considerable amount and still have great enterprise switches if you go with HP Procurve models. I love configuring the Ciscos, and they are great stuff, but HPs are great too. If you must have Cisco, then take a look at the 2900 series (2960). They should more than meet your needs.
DWS-3160-24PC
http://www.dlink.com/uk/en/business-solutions/switching/managed-switches/unified-wireless/dws-3160-series-gigabit-l2plus-unified-managed-switches