How to choose the right core switch for a medium to large enterprise?

Jun 16 , 2024 557

In medium to large networks, core switches are key devices to ensure efficient, stable and secure network operation. Choosing the right core switch not only improves network performance, but also meets future expansion and security needs. So, how to choose the right core switch? All need to pay attention to which aspects?

First of all, core switches are needed to meet the high-performance needs of medium and large enterprises, which usually have a large number of users, devices, and applications that require high bandwidth and low-latency network connectivity. Core switches provide high throughput and low latency to meet the needs of organizations for high-speed data transfer and processing power.

Second, the core switch needs to maintain the stability and reliability of the network of medium and large enterprises, it is a key device in the network architecture, can support redundant design, such as dual power supplies, dual controllers, etc., which can effectively prevent monotonic failures and ensure the high availability of the network.

In addition, the core switch also has a high degree of scalability and network management and control capabilities, has a strong security guarantee, but also to support the complex network topology and enhance business continuity and other advantages, can effectively protect the network from attacks, to ensure data security.

Choosing the right core switch can ensure that the enterprise network carries out fast and effective operation status. So, what cost-effective brands and models should we choose when choosing a core switch?

Cisco and Huawei are two brands that, as industry leaders, have long been the brands of choice for most organizations. In terms of models, Cisco's Catalyst 9600 series and Nexus 9000 series and Huawei's CloudEngine 16800 and S12700 series are excellent core switch products suitable for deployment in medium- to large-sized enterprises, capable of delivering high performance, reliability, and security to support the efficient operation and continuous development of enterprise networks.

In order to allow companies to choose the product can be an in-depth understanding of these models, the following we will be from the characteristics of each model to carry out in-depth analysis.

Cisco Core Switch Recommended Models

1. Cisco Catalyst 9600 Series Features:

High performance: Supports up to 25.6Tbps switching capacity for high-density applications.

Security: Built-in Cisco TrustSec technology provides comprehensive security protection.

Programmability: Supports Cisco IOS XE for network programming and automation.

2. Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Features:

High scalability: Supports the needs of large-scale data centers and cloud environments.

High Flexibility: Supports multiple operating modes (NX-OS and ACI mode) to adapt to different network architectures.

Innovative technology: Built-in Cisco ACI (Application Centric Infrastructure) for application-driven network management.

Huawei Core Switch Recommended Models

1. Huawei CloudEngine 16800 Features:

High-performance: Adopts industry-leading AI chips to provide ultra-high forwarding performance and processing power.

Intelligent: Built-in AI acceleration engine for intelligent network operation and optimization.

Reliability: Supports multiple redundant designs to ensure high network availability.

2. Huawei S12700 series features:

High scalability: modular design supports flexible expansion.

High security: Built-in a variety of security features, including firewalls, intrusion prevention and so on.

Easy to manage: supports intelligent operation and maintenance, providing a full range of network management functions.

In general, medium and large enterprise networks need to use core switches to meet high-performance requirements, ensure network stability and reliability, support scalability and complex network topologies, provide powerful network management and security features, and enhance business continuity. As the core equipment of the network, the selection and configuration of core switches are critical to the overall performance and operation of the enterprise network.