Cisco vs Nortel vs ? - Who Would You Choose And Why?

Here's the scenario..... you've been tasked with a design and installation of the network infrastructure for a new location in your company. For the purposes of this question your choices for equipment at the new site are between Cisco and Nortel and ?? (routers, switches, hubs, etc.) .... and the network backbone will be DS3 bandwidth with connectivity to other company locations (WAN). Note: you can substitute OC3 bandwidth if it's more applicable to you .... but realize it changes the network equipment configurations for the scenario somewhat due to the application of SONET technology.

For a general philosophy ..... when you need business critical spend the money and make it perfect (Cisco). When at the edge and not business critical, (e.g. you can afford a little downtime if needed) buy solid products that compete directly with Cisco but cost a bit less.

In one case a friend uses HP at the edge and in wireless situations where uptime is not critical. They use Cisco at the core and with wireless where uptime is essential. All that being said, the HP performs just as well, costs about 25%-50% less and has a lifetime guarantee. So to answer the question, in this case I would suggest vendor three (HP) for all the switches, hubs, etc... and Cisco at the core, but if you only have two choices, then really I think you only have one, Cisco. They're the biggest in the U.S. for a reason.

Here's a tip ..... take a look at the ProCurve product line from HP. Another friend recently switched from a mix of Cisco and Netgear to all HP and had no failures. When they needed support, their question was answered the same day from a very knowledgeable service representative. They did have one piece of equipment that was DOA but had a replacement the next day.

As far as backbone connectivity - the Cisco MGX 8800 Series switch is a superior product to the Nortel 15K WAN switch,.but that is only aplicable if you are using ATM or FR as a layer 2 transport protocol in the core. If you are using MPLS or some other protocol over IP I would suggest one of the Cisco 12 K routers running IOS XR - Nortel dosent even have a comptable product (Juniper however does but that is outside the scope of this discussion.

The difference between Cisco HTTS support and Nortel Support is night and day - that should influence your decision right there.

As far as LAN switching - the Cisco 6500 Catalyst platform is the winner hands down against the Nortel 8600. Thee 8600 is easier to configure but is simply not for the enterprise never mind a carrier class soloution. The 6500 is faster, but much more complex, but out performs the 8600 and is infinitely more flexible as far as module options. The 6500 series also has the edge as far as max number of Gig-E ports.

As far as hubs - get a switch or otherwise segment the broadcast domain.

If I were looking for a voice switch or anything capable of Connecting with the world of TDM voice, I would go Nortel Cisco ... If these were my only two options.

Although Nortel has loud equipment, policies and procedures are not very customer friendly.

Cisco has a better support the needs of data-centric, I would definitely go with Cisco.

If I were building a VoIP network, should I use for my core of Cisco's routing, but I would like for my Cisco softswitch and Nortel Media Gateway.

Now supports NortelMPLS networks and has been engaged in supporting standardization in MPLS before 1998.

A recent article shows that the Nortel ERS 8300 bests the Cisco 4500 ...... showing between 75%-301% higher forwarding rate and 12% greater power efficiency.

Of course, there's the fact that the New York Stock Exchange runs on a Nortel data network (4 year old Nortel press release).

While I feel I could probably spec out a dozen network designs that would lean towards Nortel, there are clearly good reasons to go Cisco, such as if you implement a Cisco Call Manager. Likewise, there are reasons for which you would clearly choose Nortel (being power efficient is one of them).

I will opine that you well always get a sub-optimum outcome if you select a vendor first and sort out the product selections and configurations subsequently. Unless you have almost no time to do so, write up a specification which everyone except Americans know as a request for tender and issue it to the suppliers concerned, and I don't see why you wouldn't include Avaya and others in there as well. Word the specifics definitively (e.g. the system shall be able to operate for a minimum of four hours following the loss of mains power. Comply/does not comply/partially complies), include a scope of works and get vendors to respond with compliance statements, warranties (i.e. FREE maintenance for six months), maintenance contract proposals and pricing. Not only can you compare the various systems feature by feature (features you have listed because they are important for your business) but it's amazing how much pricing tends to be reduced when vendors know there's genuine competition.

Regarding these two, part of Cisco's strategy is to make it very inconvenient to attempt to integrate any non-Cisco components into a Cisco network. One of your requirements could be interworkability.

Cisco is the best and the least risk for you from a long-term perspective. I have Cisco switches are found to be extremely stable, had some switches I've seen you have been for four years without a reboot. With Cisco, you also have the advantage of the excellent documentation and a lot of qualified people to support or information online. At the level of L3 Cisco switch his peers as the code used on the switch routing platforms based on their legend.

If Cisco is too expensive or if you want to diversify, look Foundry or HP. Or better yet, use CiscoYour core and L3, and distribute the HP chassis switch for user connections. HP switch chassis are similar to other manufacturer of overlapping solutions cheap, and come with a lifetime warranty and free software updates. The CLI is very Cisco-like.

Faced with a choice of two, say, Cisco, only by a corner support - support both from the point of view of the supplier, and the recruitment of qualified personnel (permanent or contract) to support in-house. CCNA / DA, CCNP / DP, CCIE - thestreets are littered with them, but Nortel-accredited engineers are few and far between, and consequently a more expensive commodity.

In terms of features, functionality and performance, I would say it was too close to call, that specific model ranges would have to compared directly (port densities, PoE and multi-Gbps support for example). Besides Cisco, Nortel, and HP you could also make various cases for more cost-effective solutions from the likes of Alcatel-Lucent, Huawei, Foundry etc.....

To boil it all down ..... this is a religious question. Those of us who have been around long enough remember this "No one was ever fired for buying IBM". This was a marketing strategy that IBM used for quite a while. It worked! Cisco is using this same strategy now.

Cisco makes some amazing products, and they support them amazingly well. There are several other manufacturers of fabulous equipment on the market too though. HP, 3com, Extreme, and Nortel are a few. Here is what I believe. 3com and HP both make great equipment, Extreme equipment is on par with Cisco as far as capabilities, and Nortel is good.

I love the 3com 5500 series stackable switches, and they are only about ½ the price of comparable Cisco switches. HP also has great stackables, but I don't feel the quality is quit up to par with 3com. Extreme isn't Cisco but is considered to be very high end. I believe Nortel to be an also ran.

If you need to call the factory for tech Support often buy Cisco period. Technical support is the best in the industry. They are based in a location the design and operation of a network of industry-standard protocols, to figure things out for themselves, 3Com and HP now good.

Nobody ever got fired for buying Cisco. (I hope that one day these changes, as it did for IBM. But it's still true today).

Whatever you choose, the sense of similar situations with your company ..... or if you selected and lookfor a local vendor ..... you can get help finding the right fit for local support from multiple vendors including Cisco, Nortel, HP et al at Broadband Nation.

How to Choose the Right to create computer motherboard

Motherboards are often overlooked by most computer manufacturers. In fact, play an important role to build on your computer. It 'was the first thing you need to learn because it requires the ability of the system. This article will teach you to choose wisely the motherboard right to build on your computer.

Here are a few things when choosing the right motherboard is considered

1. The maximum speed of the processor. Decide what is the best speed that suits your needsand plan for the future, you are updating. The socket can handle it. Intel, different criteria for their newly released processor. This means that you have limitations, the system for a new version of the processor. Unlike AMD processors are the same as the base. A wise decision for this approach is a motherboard to choose the AMD processor.

2. The memory speed and type of memory capable of supporting it. DDR, DDR2 and DDR3 are completelydifferent and DDR3 is the fastest of all. Another thing is the size of memory can handle it. A newer version of the motherboard supports up to 16GB of memory and it was quite big enough. It is better to have a board of directors supports DDR3 and can handle the fastest speed of the motherboard to choose.

3. The expansion slot. What other cards can be combined in him? The majority of available motherboards on the market now with a PCI-E 16x and 1x PCI-E, the most common expansion slots is today.The best thing to do, the motherboard with an extra number of slots that are required select for your future expansion.

4. What other devices can connect to him? The number of SATA and ATA / IDE header. The number of USB port. It is only the number of ports you are going to use for their future needs?

5. What are the features built? Built-in functions are peripheral cards that are integrated into the motherboard. Some of these are audio, video, lanand modem. If the applications are purely office work, you can save money if you choose a motherboard with integrated graphics on it. But if the applications are the graphics I suggest you buy a separate graphics card.

6. The chipset used. Are connected to the motherboard chipset and is a major influence on system performance. cheap motherboard usually uses low-end chipsets, but this does not mean that the cards over money, the best chipset used outside. The best thing to do,You can find reviews for the motherboard you choose, to know his power.

7. The price. Although, if you are on a tight budget, the motherboard is not the last thing you need to sacrifice. A great motherboard is better than a pleasant event.

How to Choose the Right Motherboard to Build Your Computer

Motherboards are often neglected by most computer builder. In fact it plays a very important role to build your computer. It was the first thing you need to be learned because it dictates the overall capabilities of your system. This article will teach you how to choose wisely the right motherboard to build your computer.

Here are some things to be considered in choosing the right motherboard

1. The maximum processor speed. Decide what is the best speed that suits your needs and also for your future plan of upgrading it. The socket it can handle. Intel processors offers different socket for their newly released processor. It means that you have limitations on upgrading your system into a newer version of their processor. Unlike AMD processors they remain the same to their socket. A wise decision for this is to choose a motherboard that supports AMD processor.

2. The speed of memory and what kind of memory it can support. DDR, DDR2 and DDR3 are completely different and DDR3 is the fastest of them all. Another thing is the size of memory it can handle. Newer version of motherboards can support up to 16GB of memory and that was quite big enough. You better choose a board that supports DDR3 and the fastest speed the motherboard can handle.

3. The expansion slots. What other cards you can connect into it? Mostly available motherboards in the market are now having a PCI-E 16x and PCI-E 1x which is the most widely used expansion slot nowadays. The best thing to do is to choose motherboard with an extra number of slots that you will be needed for your future expansion.

4. What other peripherals you can connect into it? The number of SATA and ATA/IDE header. The number of USB port. Does it meet the number ports you're going to use including for your future needs?

5. What are the built-in features? Built-in features are peripheral cards that are integrated into your motherboard. Some of these are sound, video, LAN and modem. If your applications are purely office work you can save money if you choose a motherboard having a built-in video card on it. But, if your applications are more on graphics I suggest you buy a separate video cards.

6. The chipset being used. Chipsets are fixed into the motherboard and it greatly affects your system performance. Cheap motherboard mostly uses low end chipset but it doesn't mean that overpriced boards used the best chipset out there. The best thing to do is to find reviews for your chosen motherboard to know its performance.

7. The Price. Even though if you're in a tight budget the motherboard is not the last thing you have to sacrifice. A great motherboard is better than a good looking casing.

Ethernet or OC3 Bandwidth - What to choose?

Ethernet or OC3 bandwidth is the right choice for a network solution for your company? How to take this decision?

When it comes to a network operator / service provider and if the links are about 1 Gbit / s .... probably need both / and Ethernet OCX EOS. Finally, you must connect to other networks. If the sides 1Gbps link below to access or core network, then you would use OCX for the most part. Although some people tend toWe say that a new network, you can do whatever you want, the reality is another matter.

OCX / STM-N are known for their reliability and predictability, and still have a good long-distance legs. These are migration EOS (VCAT, LCAS, GFP) and OTN but are not satrt to Ethernet "pure" about 43g and it is assumed that there is no difference in 100G Ethernet could be dominating the adoption of some of the factors and compatibility reliability of DWDM OTN. It 's still a long way to gothat the first true convergence. In fact, work together HSSG IEEE and ITU-T to make sure that no one invents the other wheels. Maybe if you could join, we would see a single physical interface can handle both Ethernet connectivity end-to-end applications and OTN transport.

If you are farsighted, maybe you need to carry the OTN and EOS / add core infrastructure, so they prepared for the future and more flexible on other peers with OCX or interconnectionProvision of services under a single GigE with EOS. People say they have "pure Ethernet" from their suppliers may not have the attention of the EOS add / drop box that came with the service contract and return, in fact, receiving packets and the shooting on the OCx seat frames, or came at a meeting place near via OCX / EOS and then the radio (perhaps an internal link customer premises to OCX).

Below 1 GigE prices (I think) there's no good way to offerEthernet directly to the customer (Access Network). It must always be on some sort of (unreliable) transport scheme as VDSL, SHDSL, DOCSIS, wound ... This is (I think) having SONET / SDH vivo. After that we all have fiber and beyond 1GigE there is no problem. You would be able to go Ethernet / OTN across the street.

While Ethernet is distributed fairly widely accessible and cost, are often the positions A and Z, a decision in favor of OC3. SONET can readilyit may be more cost effective (yes - even taking into account the form of WAN OC3) in some places. For the same A and Z positions, if both Ethernet and OC3 are available, I would like to take the easy integration of Ethernet, while the costs within ~ 65% of the OC3 circuit.

OCx has the capacity and performance history, and is subject to the ranking supplier for every last cent of it as an asset against the evolution of the long (er) distance Ethernet.

"Choose wisely," said the TemplarKnight in Indiana Jones and the Final Crusade ... here. If you are committed long-term contract for OCx not extend it to say, then, your business and application requirements, you do not need flexibility Metro-E at the end of the grace period. to negotiate for concessions, too large and / or free upgrade to Metro-E at the end. Since the price competitiveness of services in the amount of market share based on Metro-and / 10GB nano in time-and OCX.

Finally, chooseOCX / Metro-E service is based on achievable and measurable SLA at first ..... then nail the supplier on the floor on the price (as you do .... or .... you should do).

Ethernet Or OC3 Bandwidth - What Do You Choose?

Is Ethernet or OC3 bandwidth the right choice for a network solution for your business? How would you make that decision?

If you are talking about a network operator / service provider and assuming your links are above 1 Gbps .... most likely you will need both OCx/EoS and Ethernet. After all you need to interconnect with other networks. If you have links below 1 Gbps at the access or core sides of the network then you would have to use OCx, most likely. Although some people tend to say that for a new network you can do whatever you want, reality is another thing.

OCx/STM-N are known for their reliability and predictability and still have quite a good precense in long haul. These are migrating to EoS (VCAT, LCAS, GFP) and OTN but they won't satrt to become "pure" Ethernet until 43G and supposedly there won't be any difference at 100G so Ethernet could prevail adopting some of the reliability factors and DWDM compatibility from OTN. There is still long ways to go before the true convergence. In fact IEEE HSSG and ITU-T are working together to assure neither one reinvents each other's wheels. Perhaps, if they succed, we would see single physical interfaces that could handle both: Ethernet for end-to-end connectivity and OTN for transport applications.

If you are thinking forward, perhaps you need to add OTN and EoS to your transport/core infrastrucure so it is ready for the future and yet flexible to interconnect to other peers using OCx, or deliver services below 1 GigE using EoS. People claiming they get "pure Ethernet" from their providers may not be paying attention to the EoS add/drop box that was delivered with the service contract and it is in fact receiving packets and shooting OCx frames back to the central office, or it arrived at a near aggregation location via OCx/EoS and then radioes to the customer premisses (perhaps over an internal OCx link too).

Below 1 GigE rates (I believe) there is no good way to deliver Ethernet directly to the customer (access network). it always has to be wrapped on some sort of (unreliable) transport scheme like VDSL, SHDSL, DOCSIS,... This is (in my opinion) what's keeping SONET/SDH alive. Once we all have fiber and beyond 1GigE then there is no issue. You would be able to go Ethernet/OTN all the way.

While Ethernet is becoming quite widespread and cost effective, often times the A and Z locations may require a decision in favor of OC3. SONET being readily available, it may be more cost effective (yes - even including the WAN module for OC3) in some locations. For the same A and Z locations, if both Ethernet and OC3 are available, I would pick Ethernet due to the ease of integration as long as the cost is within ~ 65% of the OC3 circuit.

OCx has history, resilience, and capacity, and is subject to suppliers wringing every last cent out of it as an asset given the emergence of long(er) distance Ethernet.

"Choose wisely", says the Templar Knight in Indiana Jones and the Final Crusade... likewise here. Unless you are committed to a long-term contract on OCx, don't extend it unless your business and application requirements say you won't need Metro-E flexibility until the end of the extension period. Even then, negotiate for huge concessions and/or cost-free upgrade to Metro-E at the end. As cost competitiveness of a service is based on the amount of market share: Metro-e /10GB-e will dwarf OCx over time.

Lastly, choose OCx/Metro-E service based on achievable and measurable SLAs first ..... then nail the supplier to the floor on price (as you do .... or .... you should do).