Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Reschke on October 27, 2005, 03:04:28 PM
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OK you big time IT guys. We are in serious need to upgrade our LAN router and we are working off of a Fractional T1 for all our internet connectivity needs. Is the following a decent router to go with and is it a decent price as well. We want to have something that will function for a few years with our small staff but have the option to move up from the current 4 connected users to as many as 24 within the next 2-3 years (projected growth).
Adtran NetVanta 1224R 24-Port Managed Switch w/ T1/FT1-DSX-1 & Integral Router $1,160.95 w/ free shipping from http://www.computers4sure.com
The NetVanta 1224R uses the ADTRAN Operating System (OS) to provide an all-in-one network access solution by combining a 24-port managed Layer 2 Ethernet switch, a full-featured IP access router (with modular WAN interface), a stateful inspection firewall, and optional VPN functionality, all in a single 1U platform. This is ideal for enterprise businesses of all sizes that need to provide branch office or multi-site networks for LAN segmentation and WAN connectivity applications.
Non-blocking Layer 2 switching functionality includes support for 802.1Q Virtual LANs (VLANs), 802.1D and 802.1w Spanning/Rapid Spanning Tree, Link Aggregation, advanced management, and Quality of Service (QoS) functionality. The product provides 24-port Ethernet and Fast Ethernet switching. An integral IP router provides cost-effective Internet access, corporate Frame Relay or point-to-point connectivity using industry-standard routing protocols such as OSPF and RIP.
* Features: Dimensions (WxDxH): 17.3"x8.1"x1.7"
* Weight: 7.1 lbs
* Processor: Motorola MPC866 133 MHz
* RAM: 32MB
* Flash Memory: 16MB
* Ports Qty: 24 x Ethernet 10Base-T, Ethernet 100Base-TX
* Data Transfer Rate: 100 Mbps
* Data Link Protocol: Ethernet, Fast Ethernet
* Remote Management Protocol: SNMP 2, Telnet, HTTP
* Compliant Standards: IEEE 802.1D, IEEE 802.1Q, IEEE 802.1p, IEEE 802.3ad (LACP), IEEE 802.1w
* Power: AC 110/230 V ( 50/60 Hz )
* System Requirements: ADTRAN OS
* Warranty: 5-year
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Not familiar with it.
I tend to lean towards Cisco for this level. A 2610 or 2620 router with an external layer two switch would be about the same price if you pick up the Cisco used or refurbished.
It has been my experience, you get what you pay for (for the most part) when it comes to routers.
The 2620 is fast enough to handle 2 full T1 connections (nad happens to have expansion for that). Easy to sell off if/when you outgrow it as well.
Just a thought.
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TY Skuzzmeister! I am trying to have a few things lined up for the company thats coming in here to give us their "recommendations". Being the resident computer geek has everyone looking to me to head up this upgrade on all our hardware and these bigger router/switch things I have no idea what I need to look for in these company's "recommendations".
Hell I had to beg to get the Netgear 10 port router we have now thats causing us so much trouble. My boss nearly had a heart attack when I told him that one was going to be close to $100 bucks. I can't wait to see what the hell he is going to do when I tell him the next big step is going to be $1k+. :rofl
I bet his reactions will follow something along these lines:
:furious :cry :noid :O :rolleyes:
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Originally posted by Skuzzy
Not familiar with it.
I tend to lean towards Cisco for this level. A 2610 or 2620 router with an external layer two switch would be about the same price if you pick up the Cisco used or refurbished.
It has been my experience, you get what you pay for (for the most part) when it comes to routers.
The 2620 is fast enough to handle 2 full T1 connections (nad happens to have expansion for that). Easy to sell off if/when you outgrow it as well.
Just a thought.
And dont forget HP Procurve. High quality and lifetime warranty. Price is lower than cisco (at least here in finland)
By the way.. International space station uses HP procurve switches. No idea how On-Site care/support/warranty works there. :D
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Plus you are just going to find alot more people who are comfortable with the Cisco stuff. Their systems are common enough, and trained personnel common enough that you can almost always find used stuff and someone to set it up or give you troubleshooting advice.
Not to say there's anything wrong with the one you listed, and I grant you I havent done any networking stuff for money in several years, but if folks dont perk right up and know the system off the bat, chances are if you run into trouble you are on your own. Maybe I'm wrong and things are different now. I kinda doubt it though. :)
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Check out Sonicwall also.
We use both a TZW and Pro100 at work.
Government approved, tech support is quite good.
Lots of optional extras -
Hardware VPN (works great).
Plenty options for firewall rules.
http://www.sonicwall.com
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look seriously at the 2620, we use them and nortel and the cisco is easier to configure and has less problems.
Some things to think about,
1. you referred to "router thingy" unless you plan to pay a network engineer to set up your network most enterprise class hardware is gonna kick your butt.
2. $100 bucks? you're gonna pay that in nuts, bolts, screws, cable velcros, cat5 etc.
3. 4 users to 24? thats really small enough at this point to hire in a leased solution with setup and support from someone like Dell with very little work and they'll design to your needs and give you expand otf options.
4. fractional T1? you're splitting voice and data? thats crap in todays workplace. you'd be better off finding a premium dsl or if you're urban get a business class cable. they'll give you as many ips as you needs as much bandwidth or site hits as you want, put in a simple router so you have basic firewall and filesharing security. you supply a 100 base t switch, an 8 port'll do you now and can be replaced or expanded at need (i like bay networks or dell, hp is nice too) and you wont have to spend a fortune. plus @ 10 mb connections for $149 a month its probably cheaper than your turn of the 90s fractional costs.
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1. I agree I have no intention of doing anything other than making sure that the people we end up hiring have access and setting up email accounts. All other stuff will be farmed out. I don't have a problem building or installing the computers and server but I don't want to get into the actual setup of the router/switches.
2. The $100 bucks was for the old router. I just can't wait to see what his reaction will be once they come rolling in here with their "recommendations".
3. We have been holding off on expanding and over the next three years we will end up with at least that many new sales and daily operations staff. Being a small company is good but when you need to expand it really does kick you in the butt.
4. Our only choices were either a full T1 or Fractional. We are just outside the range of DSL service and the local cable company (Charter) will not run a cable line into our location even though they have residential customers on the end of the road leading into our industrial park area.
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You might want to ask about the Cisco box's that you won't see in advertizments that they have in the NOC's on ships: Small mother****er, Medium mother ****er, and BIG Mother****er. The Navy is trying to shrink the footprint of the NOC's on ships, so those box's are going to become available in #'s.