2950 w/ Standard Image Software

mgodinez

Hello,

I'm looking at picking up a couple of 2950 Switches (12 ports, preferrably).

I see that some switches are listed w/ the:

Standard Image (SI) software. Is this the cisco IOS?

I figured if it was the cisco IOS, it would at least give me a version as well.

Regards,

mgodinez

ElitePhoenix

Straight off the Cisco website-

This product line (2950) offers two distinct sets of software features and several configurations to allow small, medium-sized, and enterprise branch offices to select the right combination for the network edge-

- Cisco Standard Image software offers Cisco IOS® Software capabilities for basic data, voice, and video services. For networks that require additional security, advanced QoS, and high availability.

- Cisco Enhanced Image software delivers intelligent services such as rate limiting, QoS reclassifying, and security filtering for deployment at the network edge.

Hope this helps a little.

TheShadow

Yes. Switches come with either standard image or enhanced image option imbedded in them. Standard image switches do not do crypto if you want to go down the security path later. If you try of load the crypto image they force a reload. The 2950C, 2950T, 2950G and 2950-xxEI switches have the enhanced image. This is why you see a large difference in price between the models.

mgodinez

Hello,

My apologies for my ignorance...I am trying to research this on the net as well.

So am I correct in assuming that the SI software package will have all the cisco commands (i.e. for VTP, encapsulation, STP, etc.).

I'll be using this device to pursue my ICND cert.

Thanks again!

mgodinez

EdTheLad

Yes the standard image will have all you need for CCNA, its missing a little here and there for CCNP.I'm a little annoyed over this as i only discovered recently that the EI is dependent on what hardware platform you have.

mgodinez

Hello Ed,

Thanks for the reply...as well as Phoenix & Shadow. Very helpful, indeed.

Yes, after doing a little research on Cisco's website; I was able to get a .pdf of the 2950-12 spec. sheet. I also saw the part about the EI not being loadable on this switch. I'm also a little bummed that the switch does not do ISL...but as long as I get some exposure to dot1q, then I think I'll get the idea of encapsulation.

Regardless, I'm going for 2 2950-12s off of ebay. The price jump to a switch that'll take the EI software is just too great for me, at the moment.

Thanks again, everyone.

Regards,

mgodinez

TheShadow

yes you basically have to wait until a person with the handle forbidenwarrior and one other whose name I forget at the moment have their fill. They periodically swoop in and buy up all the high end 2950's and routers and inflate the prices. I guess they have other handles to sell them in kits or something. A couple of my friends have been trying to land some switches for over a week but this tag team outbids everone. I am trying to nail one or two 3640's right now before I do something silly like buy a new video card for vista that I don't really need yet.

You can always sell the -12's and upgrade later but they will be great for you right now. Wait until the Xmas break when the commercial guys close up shop for a few weeks and do your EI search then.