Hi all,
I have a question regarding design of a network.
I currently have an hp series core switch 5400 series layer 3 switch.
I'm currently redesigning my network configuration to allow all my different subnets and vlans to talk to each other as i upgrade my analogue network to digital.
I understand that layer 3 can do the job of routing however am unsure of whether to have a separate router, or utilise the layer 3 technology in my switch.
I have a private ethernet 100Mb/s WAN link (also being fed a 10mb/s net connection) that comes in to a small router: http://routerboard.com/RB2011UiAS-RM : this will be used to feed camera streams out to a variety of devices on a vpn, mobile tables etc.
I also have a mesh & point to point wireless network on it's on subnet and vlan coming into my server room, along with a hardwired fibre network, again separate sub and vlan coming to my server room. These are on a variety of different switches, not that it matters. The core switch is a separate sub again, with servers & storage connected.
What i'm wondering is whether i invest in a router on a stick solution, with a higher capacity to do my intervlan and subnet routing, or whether i have the hp core switch configured to do that side of the routing?
I have one vendor advising to use the switch, another suggesting that a router on a stick is the way to go.
switch vendor advises that the switch will route faster.
router vendor advises that you should keep the two separate, and having a stand-alone router will allow for easier configuration & fault rectification.
Each vlan has approximately 300-400Mb/s running into the server room.
Any suggestions or advise would be highly appreciated. I can provide more information if required. Have two biased opinions shooting my way.
Router vendor is also suggesting to create an additional core/stackable solution with a brocade solution.
Hp vendor is suggesting not to bother and to install another chassis style switch in my wifi/hardwired incoming rack.
HP will probably be a fair bit more expensive than brocade, and would give long term capabilties. Brocade is probably going to be much cheaper, and offer stackable redundancies once i get round to it.
Help?