HP vs Cisco

So this new job I'm going into has mostly HP switches instead of Cisco. We are going to migrate but in the mean time I need to support the HP switches in place. Is there a large difference in the two products, does anyone have any exp with them?

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Comments

RTmarc

The Procurves are pretty straightfoward and aren't a bad line of products. They are more than capable of moving data around.

katakatak

I agree. We use a Cisco router over here, but our switches are the HP Procurve, and they are pretty straightforward. They are pretty reliable and their web interface is pretty good.

L0gicB0mb508

They are pretty easy to work on with the web interface. You should have no problems if you are a Cisco guy.

msteinhilber

We also use HP for our switching and Cisco for routers. I can sit down at any HP switch and pretty much feel like I'm working on Cisco gear. They have been very reliable for us, even the real lower end ($300 48 port models) switches have worked very well.

They have a great warranty as well, lifetime which I think Cisco has also started to do but HP provides next business day advance replacement where I remember reading Cisco's default advance replacement was specified just within 10 business days unless you purchase a SMARTnet contract. The HP gear is also much cheaper, which is the main reason we use it - our budget wouldn't accommodate Cisco switches.

NightShade03

msteinhilber wrote: »

The HP gear is also much cheaper, which is the main reason we use it - our budget wouldn't accommodate Cisco switches.

Exactly why I'm about to be stuck with their gear as well. The IT dept has no budget so until we can grow that up a little I'll be using these HP switches, but everyone here seems to like them which is a good sign! Anyone know if they have a certification track like Cisco, or is HP not that serious?

msteinhilber

NightShade03 wrote: »

Exactly why I'm about to be stuck with their gear as well. The IT dept has no budget so until we can grow that up a little I'll be using these HP switches, but everyone here seems to like them which is a good sign! Anyone know if they have a certification track like Cisco, or is HP not that serious?

They do have various certifications but I never really looked much into them.

Training - HP ProCurve Networking

Forsaken_GA

I'm going to dissent from the crowd. I absolutely hate HP network gear, it's never given me anything but problems. If I can't have Cisco, then I want Juniper or Force10

binarysoul

HP products are excellent and they provide excellent support.

I used to work for HP (Enterprise Support) and I command them for excellence.

laidbackfreak

looks like we could be going that way too. I've just had 2 pro curves switches dropped on my desk, I have to configure them for QoS and test them against the equivilant cisco models.
Should be a fun excersise

Lizano

I worked for HP, ProCurve rocks, it´s a pretty good piece of equipment. I would definitely recomend it. I have some limited experience with it, but still have friends working in the ProCurve team.

Kaminsky

HP make switches ? Well.. live and learn..

Next thing you know, Cisco will be making servers!

Stotic

There are some nuances with them. Personally I'd prefer to work on a cisco switch because of familiarity, but its not entirely bad. We're replacing all of our EOL cisco gear with HP on the access layer.

NightShade03

Wow lots of responses thanks everyone! Guess I'll be looking over some of the documentation for the HP switches for next week. Just to throw this out there but has anyone heard of / used vyatta? I have used their virtual appliance for limited testing, seems pretty good but haven't seen it anyone in the real world.

Lizano

Kaminsky wrote: »

HP make switches ? Well.. live and learn..

Next thing you know, Cisco will be making servers!

They might be soon enough...

mikej412

Kaminsky wrote: »

Next thing you know, Cisco will be making servers!

Yeah, and then IBM will start selling re-branded Juniper equipment....

If price is your primary criteria for switch purchases, then HPs are fine.

AlanJames

We have a few customers that utilise HP switches for their cores etc.

- they're cheaper
- have less functionality
- HP maintenance contracts are a heck of a lot cheaper too
- They do their job.

But there are a lot more aspects to look at other than cost though

cisco is a lot better

AlanJames

have a read through this

Do HP, 3Com value claims trump Cisco? - Network World

Kaminsky

How do Juniper switches compare ?

I'm hearing HP/3com up there to match Cisco but nothing about Juniper. Is that just the burn from the Juniper Security legacy or are their switches just kack ?

mikej412

Kaminsky wrote: »

How do Juniper switches compare ?

So far Juniper seems to be only targeting the Luxury Switch Market (and Cisco).

NightShade03

After looking through the documentation I still think that Cisco seems to offer more than the HPs but the price of the HPs are kinda nice.