Considering buying layer 3 switches for BCMSN

I'm about to start my BCMSN studies and was scouting out layer 3 switches, which I know are expensive. I have seen some cheap ones on e-bay but I'm wondering if there are anything I should watch out for... like a reason they are so low. I dont work around Cisco equipment so I'm not sure what to look out for. Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks!

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Comments

ColbyG

Avoid the XL stuff, go with a 3550 or better. Check Odom's lab blog out too:

CCNP Lab Series ? Master Links | NetworkWorld.com Community

human151

You can pickup an 3550 off EBAY for between 200 to 300 dollars. the SMI version does not have full layer 3 functionality, the EMI does.

The hardware is the same. Just the IOS is Different.

Cyanic

I got my 3550 for $150 with free shipping

Bid smart and you can easily get one for under $200.

However, if you don't have access to Cisco images, then you may want to look at one of the dealers that throw on the enhanced (EMI) image. Those dealers usually offer a warranty to boot. Last time I looked they were going for about $230.

wksizemore

Thanks for the feedback guys; it is much appreciated!

aordal

switch IOS are free to download from cisco.com. so don't worry about having an out of date image.

ColbyG

aordal wrote: »

switch IOS are free to download from cisco.com. so don't worry about having an out of date image.

Not really, especially not without a contract.

tiersten

aordal wrote: »

switch IOS are free to download from cisco.com. so don't worry about having an out of date image.

EMI requires you to buy a license. Whilst you may be able to download it without a contract, it doesn't actually mean it is free. Cisco have said they track that stuff.

Kaminsky

tiersten wrote: »

EMI requires you to buy a license. Whilst you may be able to download it without a contract, it doesn't actually mean it is free. Cisco have said they track that stuff.

I thought they had changed it now so IOSs like the EMI couldn't be downloaded without that contract being in place.

shadown7

Ciscokits.com sells the 3550 EMI version switch.

Cisco Catalyst 3550 Switch CCNP Kit

captobvious

shadown7 wrote: »

Ciscokits.com sells the 3550 EMI version switch.

Cisco Catalyst 3550 Switch CCNP Kit

If you are diligent or lucky you can do better on ebay. Also probably get a newer IOS image.

shadown7

captobvious wrote: »

If you are diligent or lucky you can do better on ebay. Also probably get a newer IOS image.

Thanks for the tip. I'm not that far in my CCNP study's so I haven't researched a L3 switch yet.

Thanks again,

Keith